York Student Top of Lacrosse
In her most successful season to date, Lacrosse vice President Bethany Gray, was called to the international stage this summer as part of the England squad which met and defeated Scotland 13 – 2 in the finals of the European Championships in Gottingen, Germany writes Dan Phillips.
Gray, having been a regular of the Under 21s for the last two years, remained astounded to make the Senior team, “I was really suprised, I just had a really good season this year”, Naturally a defender, the England selectors placed her in the first attack position, “At first it was really daunting … England obviously see me as an attacker”. These initial feelings of being out of depth amongst England’s finest failed to emerge during her game, scoring two goals in the 16 – 5 crushing semi final victory against the Czech Republic. Playing alongside such experience as the world no 3 squad inevitably has, Gray was pleased to be able hold her own, “I thought I played OK, I’ve still got an awful lot to learn”.
Being half Irish, Gray could have made the family duo with her sister, and opted for the Emerald Isle in the international circuit, but with England dominating the game so emphatically, and having the opportunity for more competitive matches as a result, Gray rejected the option, “I stuck with England for the benefit of my lacrosse”.
York, bolstered by the strengths of both Gray and U21’s player Sarah Pringle won a hard earned second place in the BUSA 2A league gaining promotion to the top Northern lacrosse league. Gray has however set the modest target of a mid table finish this season for York.
Occasionnally finding time to play for local teams Harrogate Penguins, Senior Yorkshire, and the North region squad, Bethany is in high demand in the lacrosse world, but admits that further England trials and training, is putting a strain on her lifestyle, “I’ve got so much commitment”.
Lacrosse can be contacted on jebr100@york.ac.uk
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