Vic Made - Lily Harris, Niagara University

About this series
Vic Made is a Lacrosse Victoria series featuring Victorian players who have taken their lacrosse overseas, to high
schools and colleges across North America. Every path looks different. Some players go through recruiters, some contact schools directly, some build highlight reels for years before a door opens. There is no single way in. What these players share is that they went looking for the opportunity and found it. This series exists to show the next generation of Victorian players that the opportunity is real and that it might look different for each of them too.

Meet Lily Harris

Lily Harris plays her lacrosse with Malvern Lacrosse Club in Melbourne, where she has been playing for ten years. She is now a sophomore attacker at Niagara University in Lewiston, New York, studying sports management. The Niagara Purple Eagles compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) at NCAA Division I level.

In her own words

How much game time did you get in your first season, and what did you have to do to earn it?

"I played in every game in my first season. It took lots of extra work outside of practice, whether that be shooting, wallball or film."

What surprised you most about the level of training and competition when you first arrived?

"The competitiveness and intensity of every player over here was amazing to see. Practice is intense and no one gives up on plays."

What has been the highlight of your time overseas so far, on or off the field?

"Connecting with my teammates and finding some of my best friends has by far been the highlight. Going on trips and exploring the different parts of the country has also been so much fun."

How did you get on the radar of Niagara?

"Highlight reels and emailing coaches."

Is there anything you wish you had known before committing?

"Playing lacrosse over here will give you a whole additional home that you will find so hard to say goodbye to."

How do you manage the balance between study and lacrosse?

"Be disciplined and get some study done every day. Work can pile up quickly with travel happening, so it is best to make some sacrifices and get it done when you have time."

What is one piece of advice you would give a junior player in Melbourne who wants to play college lacrosse one day?

"Get extra reps in outside of training. Challenge yourself to work with and play against more experienced players to learn from them."

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Vic Made is an ongoing Lacrosse Victoria series. More stories, new pathways, coming soon.

Are you a Victorian lacrosse player currently studying or playing overseas? We would love to feature you. Get in touch via Instagram.

Playing in an overseas camp or tournament this year? We want to hear from you for instalment two of the series.

Already committed to a school overseas? Congratulations. We want to share your story in instalment three. Reach out via Instagram.