Dreyer Leading Way for Watchung Hills Lacrosse

When lacrosse standout Kelsey Dreyer says she has had a lacrosse stick in her hands her whole life, she isn't exaggerating.  Kelsey's mom, herself a stand out in high school and college and a former college coach, had a stick in Kelsey's hands when she an infant. 

"I was only two weeks old when I was on the sidelines at one of my mom's college games," Dreyer said. "I was always around the sport.  It was backyard sport I always played." 

And it is goes further in the family with brothers Ryan, 16, playing for Watchung Hills and Brendon, a sixth-grader, playing, too.

Although Kelsey played soccer, basketball and softball, she made the decision to focus on lacrosse while in middle school.  Kelsey continued to play soccer, but with an ACL injury her freshman year, she decided to stick to her first love, lacrosse.

As a midfielder, Kelsey gets to play offensive and defense. 

"I get the exhilaration at both ends of the field," said Kelsey. "The best feeling is get the ball right off the draw and fast break down the field get the goal right away and pump yourself and the team up.  Or intercepting a pass and running it up the field.  I just love running the field."

"Kelsey is a big threat on the field, she can play any position she is asked to play and will do anything she is asked to do," said rookie Watchung Hills head coach Stephanie Linder. "She is one of the hardest working players we have. She really brings up the level of play for the players around her."

Looking ahead, Kelsey will be attending USC in the fall, with plans to work towards a bachelor's degree in Policy Planning and Development, with a focus on sustainable planning and urban development. 

"I really hadn't considered California, but they saw me at a 'winter play day'—just the opportunity to play there and to play with Lindsey Munday, Devon Wills and Hilary Bowen, some of the greatest players in the game, to learn from the best and go to a career academic school," said Dreyer.  "I couldn't pass it up."

"We have a lot of 'greenhorns' with little varsity playing experience this season.  We started the season a little shakey, but we have come out fighting," said Kelsey.  "I couldn't be prouder.  These girls have worked so hard.  We may not be the best, but we will alway fight to the end.  We have made people consider Watchung Hills and what we bring to the table."

IN SHORT

Ridge was the dominate force on the field for Thursday's game in Basking Ridge.   Ridge got scoring from eight different players on the damp and cool afternoon.   Kelsey Dreyer lead all scorers with four goals.  "We are playing better," said coach Linder.  "The defense stepped it up for us today, we just couldn't get it done on the attacking end."

WARRIOR OF THE GAME

Kelsey Dreyer - Kelsey was very strong off the draw and scored four goals for the Watchung Hills Warriors.

KEY PERFORMANCE

THE DEFENSE - "They had a lot of big stops for us today.  They were huge," said coach Linder.

UP NEXT - The Warriors travel to North Hunterdon this Saturday at 12:30 p.m.