Perhaps it should come as no surprise that Georgetown junior Shannon Hartford was recently named lacrosse player of the year in the Cape Ann League Division 2.
The sport is in her blood.
Shannon is the daughter of Georgetown girls coach Heather Hartford, who started the girls program at the school. Shannon's father, Paul Hartford, started the boys program before stepping down after last season. Her brother, Tim Hartford, who is now a freshman at Air Force Academy, holds the Georgetown record for career goals and points.
But Shannon may set a new precedent for lacrosse success in her family when all is said and done.
Hartford's Player of the Year honor comes after she led the entire CAL in goals (81) and points (127), lifting her team to a Division 2 league title. The Royals' championship came as a surprise to many who thought the fifth-year program would struggle in its jump from Division 3 to Division 2.
"When we switched divisions, I knew the competition would be that much stiffer," Heather Hartford said. "I thought Heather would be fortunate to see 100 points. To exceed her career high is impressive."
Hartford's career includes three 100-point seasons, including 105 as a freshman and 111 as a sophomore. She will play for the New England Select team this summer in hopes of generating interest among college coaches, who are free to contact her as of July 1.
"I don't know where I want to go to school yet," Shannon Hartford said. "I went down to (Iona College) for junior days this spring. I've looked at schools in North Carolina and Virginia. Then we looked at a few in Colorado when I visited my brother."
Hartford plans to pursue a business degree regardless of which school she attends. As part of the New England Select League, she will play in four tournaments this summer.
"Those are geared for college recruiting," Heather Hartford said. "She has a goal of going to a good school and playing for a good team. We're hoping for more visibility this summer. She's not sure which area of the country she'd like to look at, so she's leaving all doors open. We're hoping for a good fit where she can get a good education and play her favorite sport."
