A standout Orillia lacrosse player has been selected by Team Canada to play in the Senior Women's World Cup of Lacrosse.
Hannah Morris led the University of Louisville's women's field lacross team in goals last season with 56, which is an impressive feat in what many say is the NCAA’s toughest conference.
Now, Morris will try to lead Canada to gold in the international championship tournament that started today in Baltimore.
“It’s truly an honour to have this opportunity,” she said. “I get to play with and against the best players in the world that I’ve looked up to during my whole lacrosse career.”
Wearing the Canadian jersey is something the attacker is beyond grateful for; it's something she says feels hard to believe. Morris credits her teammates and coaches over the years for helping her get to this point in her career.
“Also, my dad (Pat Morris) has been a huge help,” she said “He’s a big reason as to why I’ve got to where I am.”
The 21-year-old Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School graduate, who helped lead the school to provincial championships, says playing in the World Cup of Lacrosse will be a career highlight.
“This has always been a goal of mine,” she said. “My other major goal is helping Louisville win a national championship next year.”
Morris and Team Canada kick off the tournament tonight when they face off with rival U.S.A at 7 p.m. (The game will be broadcast on TSN5).
“Our biggest goal is to win the gold medal,” she said. “Whether it’s my deception with my stick, my hard shot, or hustle plays, I want to bring everything I have to the team to help us win a gold medal at the end of the tournament.”
Morris hopes to be around the game of lacrosse for the rest of her life, but her career goal is to be a physical therapist and to help other athletes stay healthy and on the field of play.
Morris says she wants to give back to her home club, the Orillia Lady Kings, for creating the foundation for her success.
“I’ve always looked up to the older girls around me,” she said. “I hope the girls can look up to me and I can be a role model for them to excel in the sport in Orillia.”
