NASHUA, NH – Nashua South senior and varsity girls lacrosse midfielder Ella Benzekri reached a major milestone. She scored her 200th goal during Wednesday’s game against Souhegan High School in Amherst.
Scoring 100 goals in a high school lacrosse career is a major deal and it’s more common as girls Lacrosse programs in New Hampshire grow. According to Nashua South lacrosse Coach Ciki Mcintire “To be able to score 200 goals in just over three seasons is absolutely amazing!”
Coach Mcintire has led the Panthers girls’ lacrosse program for nine years, in addition to teaching physical education and coaching field hockey and basketball. In describing the experience of coaching Ella and the advancement she has made as a player the coach said, “Obviously her skillset has improved tenfold since freshman year, however, she was always a dynamic player. She was able to step onto the field as a freshman and make an immediate impact at the midfield and on the draw. She is a workhorse on the field and a true competitor who has only one speed. She cannot slow down her effort, or her speed. and her willingness to compete.”
“She does everything possible to help her team win. During the Londonderry game, she was in so much pain. She could barely walk on her foot (she has a foot injury that is still healing) yet, she is still hustling in the ride and taking draws and looking to attack the cage because that is who she is. She is a competitor.”
She also commented on Ella’s leadership qualities and how she influences the younger players on the team. She leads and encourages teammates on the field and works with youth teams during the off-season
Benzekri’s efforts are not only paying off on the field, they have led to her next opportunity. She will be attending Stonybrook University next fall. In addition to continuing to play lacrosse at the Division 1 school, she will major in the studio arts.
The achievement of scoring 200 goals happened one at a time. Coach Mcintire’s reflected on Ella and her Panther lacrosse career. “I think it’s important for younger female athletes to see that you can be successful at a public school. It’s also important to see that while Ella has had a tremendous amount of success, none of that is possible without the support of her teammates. We have a strong team-first culture which allows our team to be successful in a tough Division 1 conference. Even with all of her success, she has still had struggles along the way. Whether it’s fighting through injury or illness, it is how she reacts to that adversity and keeps moving forward to help her team and her have a successful season.”
Considering this season has just started and they will play more than a dozen more games it will be hard to predict Ella’s final tally. Today it is 200 and still counting.
DAN SPLAINE – Photographer/Contributor
Nashua native Dan Splaine is a commercial photographer who creates images for businesses. A strong belief in the value of local independent journalism, his Nashua roots, and his extensive background in photojournalism make contributing to the NASHUA INK LINK a natural choice.
After working in dozens of countries and throughout the US on assignments Dan will happily go local and turn his lens to capture lives and living in the Gate City. You can see his work and learn about his photography services and workshops by going to his website.
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