By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor
In the classroom, Elizabeth McCarthy makes it quite apparent that she has the brains. On the lacrosse field, where she likes to throw her weight around against opponents, McCarthy makes it just as apparent that she has the brawn for this rugged game.
The senior spends her mornings acing three advanced-placement classes at St. Hubert High School — psychology, calculus and English.
But when the dismissal bell rings later in the day, McCarthy’s thoughts turn to the aggressive battles with opponents on the lacrosse field.
“Sometimes it can get tough with school and sports,” McCarthy explained. “But I definitely take out my frustrations and anger on the field, so it balances out all right.”
With 13 goals so far this season, and her team enjoying a 4-1 record, maybe McCarthy is more frustrated than she thinks.
Or maybe she just loves the game.
The center had helped the Bambies cruise to an undefeated season thus far, at least until last week. The good times were interrupted by a brutal 16-3 loss to Archbishop Wood High School on April 23.
“Of course games are going to be hard and we’re going to struggle with some teams,” said McCarthy, a team co-captain. “But Wood is the big one for us to beat, so we’ll be ready for them next time.”
The Bambies were scheduled to play Cardinal Dougherty High School on Monday, but the game was cancelled due to inclement weather. Their next match-up was against Archbishop Ryan on Wednesday, after the Times went to press.
“We have a really young team this year,” said McCarthy, one of only four seniors on the squad. “Which is frustrating at times. They (underclassmen) only played a few months last year, and now we’re trying to get them to the varsity level.
“I try to help them as much as possible,” she added. “I want to set a good example.”
After all, it wasn’t too long ago that McCarthy was a rookie herself. The All-Catholic athlete first picked up a lacrosse stick four years ago as a freshman. The following year, she was boosted to the varsity level, and she has played there since.
“I decided to join lacrosse at Hubert because my cousin (Kristin Weaver) is the assistant coach,” said McCarthy. “And now I love it. It’s my favorite sport.”
She also has been part of the field hockey team for three years, earning All-Catholic honors during the fall.
But her athletic endeavors are only half the battle.
Tack on some advanced-placement classes and a few college courses and you’ll gain a better perspective of why McCarthy is so busy.
“It gets really overwhelming sometimes,” she said. “Some nights I just go home and say, ‘I’m not doing anything. I’m just going to bed.’ But it always ends up getting done.”
McCarthy — who has consistently earned honors at St. Hubert and is vice president of the National Honor Society — was named an Archdiocesan Scholar last year. The program allows academically successful students to enroll in university classes and earn credits toward college.
After her acceptance to the elite program, McCarthy did well in a developmental psychology course at Holy Family University last semester and now is taking biology.
“I’m almost done my second class,” said McCarthy. “It’s a little intimidating sitting in a college classroom, but everyone is really nice.
“Most of the other students are like, ‘You’re how old? You make me feel so old!’” she added with a laugh. “Some of them have actually come to me for help, which is really cool.”
McCarthy hopes to attend Penn State or the University of Pennsylvania next year, but hasn’t made a final decision. She plans to study nursing and eventually be a neo-natal nurse practitioner, caring for premature babies.
“I figure if you help the start of their life, you’re really affecting their whole life,” said McCarthy. “There’s definitely a satisfaction in helping others.”
With only a couple months left as a Bambie, McCarthy is trying to help her beloved school’s future stay bright. The spirited student volunteers as a Bambie Ambassador, which requires her to attend open houses and give tours of the school to prospective freshman. She also visits local elementary schools to set up tables and share information about St. Hubert.
“I’m pretty much here all the time,” said McCarthy. “Some nights I don’t go home until about eight. It’s my favorite place in the world, and I’m so sad I have to graduate and leave soon.”
The Northeast Philadelphia native is so fond of her second home that even when her family moved to Cinnaminson, N.J., last June, she chose to continue her education at St. Hubert.
“It’s a longer commute in the morning, but it isn’t that bad,” she said. “I wouldn’t switch schools, so I deal with it. I’m never there (in Jersey), so I still consider myself a Philly girl. And I’ll always be a Bambie.” ••