Purdy wants to make sure she goes out a winner

WEST Seneca - Anna Purdy will take her game to the next level next season when she plays Division II lacrosse for Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. But first things first for the West Seneca West senior. She's still got one year left in high school and she plans on going out a winner.

"I'm really excited," she said. "Right now, this (high school) season is my focus. But next year, I can't wait to get there and get started."

Purdy recently accepted a partial scholarship to play for Edinboro. She'll play for head coach Kevin Cooke, who started the program in 2008-2009 season. The Fighting Scots are 5-7 so far this season and are quickly building into a contender.

Purdy should sure help there. She's been a strong contributor on and off the field for four years for West Seneca West.

"She'll do very well at the next level," Indians coach Mark Komosinski said. "She's giving us great leadership."

Purdy didn't need long to prove her devotion to this season and the Indians quest for a sectional title. She scored four goals and dished out six assists in the season-opener, a 14-6 win over Gates-Chili.

Finding the net is nothing new for Purdy. She scored 21 goals as a junior, ranking third on the club, and scored six times as a sophomore. In soccer, Purdy led West Seneca West in goals (8) and points (20) as a senior this fall.

She expects that trend to continue on the lacrosse field this spring.

"I just want to keep scoring, just stay strong on offense and defense," she said. "Basically just pull through with the win, whatever I have to do that's what I'm going to do."

The expectations are sky-high for West Seneca West, which returns all but four players from last year’s club that set a program record for victories in a season with 10. Purdy is a headline member of a very talented senior class that expects to deliver big things in its final season together.

“I think we just want to go far for us,” Purdy said. “That's the big thing. I really think we can have a big season.”

And big things are in store beyond this season as well. Purdy and teammate Jackie Schreiber (Niagara) made their college intentions official recently in a ceremony at the high school. They are the latest in a line of Indians to reach the college level in lacrosse.

“We have a number of players to on to the next level and do very well,” Komosinski said. “And I think Jackie and Anna will do the same.”