By MELISSA DIPENTO
Samantha Stern grew up playing soccer. She played during her freshman year at Cherry Hill East. Once spring rolled around, Stern said she was looking to stay active in the off-season, so she talked to the lacrosse coach at East who convinced her to try out for the team.
From there, Stern fell in love with the sport and dreamed of playing at the college level. In 2008, she began her freshman year at the University of Vermont, with a spot on the women’s lacrosse team.
“I was very lucky to have the opportunity to play in college,” Stern said.
Stern, an attacking midfielder, wrapped up the 2011 season at Vermont with 24 goals and 28 points, while starting in all 17 games, good enough for second in scoring on the team. Stern will enter her senior season seven points shy of the 100-point plateau.
And to top off her season, Stern was recently named America East Women’s Lacrosse Fans’ Choice Player of the Year. Stern was one of 14 nominees on the Fans’ Choice ballot and received 527 of the 2,371 votes cast.
Stern is the first women’s lacrosse player at Vermont to receive the honor.
“I had no idea, so it was pretty exciting. I worked hard this season, so it’s nice to be awarded,” Stern said.
Vermont closed out the year with an overall record of 8–9 and went 2–4 in league play. Stern will hit the field next year for one final season with the Catamounts.
