'A source of strength': As war rages, Morris County faiths unite for annual Ramadan dinner
SPORTS

Three members of Morristown girls lacrosse ink National Letters of Intent

Lauren Knego @dailyrecordspts

For three players on the Morristown girls lacrosse team, signing their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday was a welcome weight off of their shoulders.

Seniors Allie Ferrara and Meghan Siverson inked letters to attend the University of Louisville next year, while senior Casey O'Brien signed her letter to attend Florida Southern College. There were also two commitment signings as senior Maddie Heher committed to Denison and senior Jazmine Cachimbo committed to Kean.

"It's so nice to have it finally be official," Ferrara said. "It was unofficial for so long so it's nice to know it's on paper and it's legit now."

O'Brien agreed.

"Definitely a weight is off my shoulders, all my friends are going through the college process and it's crazy so I'm very thankful," she said.

O'Brien, who committed to Florida Southern almost a year ago, had 61 goals and 53 assists last season. The midfielder/attack had 90 ground balls, recorded her 200th ground ball and finished with 114 points.

"I always just loved the beach which kind kind of drew me down to Florida," she said. "When I came across the school everything about it fit me perfectly. It's a small school and they have a great graphic design program, which is what I want to do, as well as the lacrosse team, the coaching staff and the players were great, it just fit me well."

For Siverson, a midfielder for the Colonials who racked up 58 goals, 25 assists and 66 ground balls as well as scored her 100th goal last season, Louisville had to grow on her.

"When I first visited I was a little skeptical because I thought, what could be in Kentucky, but the atmosphere is awesome and everyone is so tight knit and the intensity everyone brings is amazing," Siverson said. "All the girls have a common goal of winning a championship and I think that can happen."

Siverson, who wants to go pre med, is also excited that her longtime teammate and friend, Ferrara, will be a fellow Cardinal.

"It feels so good, me and Allie have been so close since the third grade and it's awesome to be able to play all these years together," she said. "Louisville is a little farther away so it will be nice to have a familiar face to experience it all with me."

For Ferrara, who wants to major in education, the fact that Louisville moved to the ACC made her commitment that much more exciting.

"Now we're in the ACC and we're getting better and better," she said. "I didn't know they were going to the ACC when I was committing, but now the ACC is coming and the commitment is still there and it makes everything better, the challenge is better and the competition is better."

Ferrara will enter her senior season as Morristown's record holder for career goals, assists and total points. She finished last year with 83 goals and is nine away from 300, 43 assists (she is three away from 100) and reached her 200th career point.

Now that the recruitment and signing process is finally over with, the three Colonials can now relax and look forward to the lacrosse season.

"I'm glad it's signed and it's a done deal and it's a relief that it's finally over with and I can just concentrate on Morristown and getting the state title we're striving for," Siverson said.

Staff Writer Lauren Knego: 973-428-6674; lknego@gannett.com