Pearl River to Play in McGowan Memorial Girls Lacrossse Classic

Pearl River girls lacrosse coach Laurie Mayernik still feels a connection to Nyack's McCalman Field.

"For me, it's like going home," said Mayernik, a Nyack High School graduate. "I grew up on that field."

She also has a special reason for returning there when her Pirates take on the Nyack Indians 6:45 p.m. Saturday as part of the Eighth Annual Stacey Sennas McGowan Memorial Girls Lacrosse Classic.

McGowan was a member of the inaugural Nyack High School girls lacrosse team in the late '70s, a team captain as a senior, and graduated from the school in 1981. She was a victim of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Her family honors her and the sport with this event. The Stacey Sennas McGowan Foundation offers scholarships and supports the lacrosse program at Nyack.

McGowan was also a friend of Mayernik's when they were in high school.

"At first, we didn't play in it," Mayernik said. "I spoke with her mom, Fran, and asked her if it was possible if we could be one of the teams playing in it."

The classic begins with an alumni game featuring Nyack athletes at 4 p.m., followed by a youth game with players from Pearl River taking on a team from Nyack. The varsity game caps the tripleheader with a rematch of a game from April 27, a 15-7 Nyack victory over Pearl River.

"My girls love it," Mayernik said. "They love the whole aspect of this. This is probably their favorite game of the year, playing under the lights. It's exciting. It's a great rivalry."