Souhegan's Stevenson found inspiration from a nearby source

When COVID-19 canceled the 2020 high school spring sports season, Elle Stevenson had a lot of time to think.

During that time, the Souhegan High School senior decided that, if she was going to continue playing lacrosse in college, she was going to do it at the highest level she could.

"When I was younger, in middle school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I played all these sports," Stevenson said. "I didn’t really have a focus. During COVID was when I decided I wanted to go Division I, I want be somewhere and be something great. I started training a lot. I’ve pushed myself harder since then."

And when it came time to get some help and inspiration on how to get there, Stevenson didn't have to look too far.

McKinley Sbordone was set to take over as the Sabers' head coach in 2021, replacing longtime Souhegan coach Maren Petropulos, who planned to retire after the 2020 season. But even before that, Stevenson was already quite familiar with her new high school coach, having played for her with the Granite State Elite lacrosse program.

Stevenson's path was one that Sbordone traversed herself, playing for GSE and Souhegan before graduation in 2006, and then going on to a successful collegiate career at Boston University.

When it came time for Stevenson to decide on where she wanted to go, her choice was a familiar one.

"I’m definitely a home body," she said. "I had the option to go to California or North Carolina, and I did not want to leave home. As with every sport, I think my part is how you can make it a family. I think BU, when I met that team, it was an actual family. I think the family part and the coaches there, that want something for that program, really drew me to that school."

They were similar reasons that Sbordone decided to attend Boston University when she was looking for schools.

"I think it’s a perfect fit for her," the coach said. "She will be able to be a big part of the program. I think that’s important, that she could be part of the change. That’s what drove me to BU. I wanted to be a part of that. We had never gone to the Elite Eight and I was a part of that. She could be a part of history. That’s what is most exciting to me."

The Terriers had a rough 2022, finishing the year 2-15. While Stevenson hopes to be a part of the program's turnaround, before she heads off to do that, she's focused on trying to help Souhegan keep its season alive for one more game.

The No. 4 Sabers (13-4) are back in the semifinals after missing out last year, where they will take on No. 1 Bishop Guertin (15-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Bill Ball Stadium in Exeter.

After starting the year 3-3, the Sabers won nine in a row before falling in their regular-season finale to Portsmouth. The team's success has come from being able to meld a younger team with a collection of talented seniors, something Stevenson was focused on doing from the start of the year.

"I’ve been focusing on making sure everyone is equal," she said. "This year, the captains and I and the coaches are trying to change the culture. We’ve made it our own thing.

"I think my voice on the field and having girls come to me, they know how hard I work. I love being able to give them advice and working with them on the field, being that guiding voice."

Sbordone has seen a difference in Stevenson, as she's tried to fine tune her game. It began in the offseason and continued throughout the year.

"Elle has always had a natural athleticism that not all players have," the coach said. "Her IQ keeps growing and her passion for the game is growing. It’s all coming together for her. She really wants it. That has been one of the biggest things, she’s always had the ability, but the drive is there and she has put the work in."