Shipley girls' lacrosse coach Erika Frank said, "Tara is a player every coach dreams of having because she will do whatever it takes to get the ball. Her competitiveness, game sense, work ethic and overall ability to play anywhere on the field, as well as her ability to score and her ability to know when to double, has helped us stay close in many games."

Stokes said, "Most of our team had minimal playing time together before going to Disney, so seeing my teammates coming back to the 'Farm' passionate about lacrosse after four victories was very encouraging."

SISTER ACT: Last year, Stokes and her older sister Brooke (now at Bucknell) helped the Gators won the Friends School League tournament championship. Trailing by more than 10 goals at halftime in the semifinals against Westtown, the Gators mounted an amazing comeback for a victory. Facing Friends' Central in the final - the last game Stokes was to play with her older sister - the freshman tallied five goals, including the game-winner.

AT THE CENTER: Stokes has played center midfielder for years on her club team, the Phantastix. "While I love the speed and aggression required at midfield, I am comfortable at any position on the lacrosse field," said Stokes. The sophomore, who came to Shipley in sixth grade after attending Gladwyne Elementary, will be the captain of the Gators' girls soccer and squash teams her junior year. She helped Shipley win the Friends School League girls' soccer title the past two years, and received second team All-Main Line honors last fall. She also has received All-Main Line recognition in squash. 

By BRUCE ADAMS
Reprinted courtesy of The Main Line Times