In Broward County lacrosse this season, two players regularly stood out for their ability to take over a game: Emily Becker of the Pine Crest girls’ team and Chris Selva of the St. Thomas Aquinas boys’ team.
But each did so in very different ways.
While Becker kept defenses behind with her dodginess, quick cuts and poise, Selva’s protective instincts made opponents work hard for every goal.
Becker, a junior midfielder, had 65 goals and 34 assists to guide the Panthers to their first trip to the state semifinals in school history. The Panthers (16-7) also won their sixth straight district championship.
- Broward County: Girls Lacrosse All-District 14 team
- Broward boys lacrosse: All-District 14 team
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- X Stony Brook University Memorial Day
“It makes it all the better knowing how hard it was to get this far,” Becker said. “We had been knocking on the door for the last couple of years.”
Selva was the lone senior starter on a Raiders team that won three straight playoff games before bowing out to St. Andrew’s in the FHSAA second-round play-in game. St. Thomas finished 14-2.
Accolades came throughout the year for both players.
In March, Becker was named as one of the top five players in the state by Lacrosse magazine.
“Teams would double and triple team her,” Pine Crest coach Eileen Pliske said. “They would make a point to mark her and try all sorts of defensive strategies. But I didn’t have to say a word to her. When opponents altered their approach, she would find a way to allow her teammates to step up.”
On Memorial Day weekend, she will be playing in the U.S. Lacrosse National Tournament at Stony Brook University (N.Y.) where college recruiters from across the nation will be watching the top high school players. Becker has drawn interest from Stanford, Brown and Yale. It’s the third time Becker will represent South Florida at the tournament.
Selva earned All-American honors for U.S. Lacrosse South Florida for the second consecutive year. He has signed to play at Hofstra (N.Y.).
“During practice, I would play with a smaller stick on purpose,” said Selva, who sported a four goals against average per game. “It gave me a challenge so I would be better prepared when I use my normal goalie stick.”
Raiders’ coach Terry Crowley says a moment that best summed up Selva’s season was in the district championship game against Pine Crest. With St. Thomas clinging to 10-9 lead late, Selva came up with three consecutive saves in the closing minute. The first came from a left-handed player. The next was from point blank range at the top of the crease. And the last was a quick shot off a rebound.
“The biggest compliment that I give him is that all ‘B’ and ‘C’ shots against him are going to be stopped,” Crowley said. “And most of the ‘A’ shots are going to be stopped, too. Chris is an attackman who happens to play goalie. He’s been able to score goals from the position and he’s just one of those players who wants to be out on the lacrosse field all the time.”
