Lacrosse came easy to GI’s Gallagher

by Eric Keppeler
Grand Island Dispatch, May 18, 2007

You might not know it from watching him play, but competing in lacrosse has not been a lifelong goal and dream for Grand Island High School senior Colin Gallagher.

Gallagher says that he never so much as picked up a lacrosse stick before seventh grade, let alone played competitively. But he was naturally athletic, and he was a good hockey player – and he’s been able to translate those skills into success on the lacrosse field

“I had never played lacrosse before, but I had played hockey and I had decent hands,” said Gallagher. “It helps to be quick and fast. You have to have a good shot, and good stick skills.”

Gallagher first became interested in lacrosse when a cousin went out for the sport when Colin was in sixth grade. The cousin was duly impressed and enjoyed the game, and Gallagher thought it looked like fun, so he tried out for it himself the following year as a seventh grader. And he persuaded many of his friends to try out for the sport, as well.

Actually it didn’t take much persuasion, since lacrosse has long been a staple in the Grand Island athletic program, certainly well before it became fashionable in many other parts of Western New York.

Even though he had never played organized lacrosse, Gallagher’s basic skills became quickly evident, and varsity coach Steve Steck happily welcomed him to the program.

“We do get a lot of guys who excel in other sports,” Steck said. “The game has evolved into a much more skilled sport. They guys have to be really good with their sticks. The ball is in the air a lot, so speed and quickness are imperative. And that’s Colin.”

Although he was new to the sport, Gallagher had only a small learning curve and quickly fit right in.

“At first, I was a little scared because everyone seemed so much bigger than me,” he said. “But after a little while, I got used to it and really felt like part of the team.”

After picking up the basics of the game, it became apparent that Gallagher’s strengths were in the offensive portion of the game. By the time he was a sophomore on the junior varsity, he was moved up to be an attacker – and he’s been a fixture up front ever since.

“It’s an offensive position,” Gallagher said. “We usually get the ball and work it around the other goalie until we’ve got a good shot.”

He made the varsity starting lineup as a junior, and posted a solid season. Now as a senior, he continues to improve and he’s one of Grand Island’s most consistent scoring threats. And he’s a big reason that the Vikings are in the hunt for a divisional title.

“Colin has been a scoring machine, averaging about three goals a game for us,” Steck said. “He’s not a dodger, but he has a tremendous shot. He’s got great velocity and he can finish one-on-one with the goalie. And he’s got a spark in his step lately – he’s been just deadly out there.”