Binghamton Lax Lands
Huntington Senior
Emma Hayes-Hurley doesn't believe in cruise control. It's all "pedal to the metal" for the Huntington High School senior who recently signed a NCAA Division I letter of intent to play lacrosse at Binghamton University.
Ms. Hayes-Hurley has earned varsity soccer, basketball and lacrosse letters with the Blue Devils. She's Huntington's version of former New York Yankees great Tommy Henrich, who was known by the nickname "Old Reliable." Coaches can count on her to be ready for the game and to play hard from start to finish.
"Emma is a wonderful lacrosse player and individual with skills and abilities that make her a standout," said Nancy Wilson, Huntington's head coach. "Her play is consistently top notch and she is fluid, tough and accurate. She is hard working, driven and a focused athlete who demonstrates great skill with all team play aspects."
"I've loved everything about Huntington these past four years and I'm going to miss it a lot," Ms. Hayes-Hurley said. "It's always been tough trying to balance school and athletics but it was always worth it."
At Binghamton, Ms. Hayes-Hurley plans to major in English "and eventually enter into their master's program for education and, hopefully, become a teacher," she said.
Rarely Misses Playing Time
It appears that the Bearcats have landed a player who can make an immediate contribution in college. "Emma has keen game awareness and is able to move past the opposition's top players," Ms. Wilson said. "Her impact on the field is felt both offensively and defensively. She has incredible endurance and she rarely misses a moment of playing time. As a coach, I value her ability to remain poised in pressured situations and love the way she maintains control on the field."
The teenager goes about her business in a quiet, dignified way and is well-liked by coaches and teammates. Last spring, Ms. Hayes-Hurley grabbed All-Division lacrosse honors after she tallied 38 goals and 17 assists, ten draw controls and seven ground balls from her midfield position.
"Her outstanding draw control abilities and determination to find the net make her a possession and scoring threat," Ms. Wilson said. "Her moves are creative and unique and have others watching ask 'How does she do that?' I have very much enjoyed working with Emma and find that her potential is unlimited. It has been a joy to coach an individual such as Emma who can do so many things at such a high level. She really rises to the challenges put before her and has the ability to influence the outcome of each game she plays in."
Many Happy Memories
When the senior graduates next June, she will do so with many happy memories. "Going to the county championship in 2009 with the varsity soccer team was one of the biggest highlights of my career at Huntington," Ms. Hayes-Hurley said. "All of my sports teams through the years have been great and I've made so many bonds with teammates and coaches that I will never forget. Although I'll soon be a Bearcat, I will always be a Blue Devil at heart!"
Binghamton plays in the America East conference. The university has an enrollment of 14,435, including 11,515 undergraduates. The school's athletic colors are dark green, black and white.
The Huntington athletic program will find it hard to say goodbye to Ms. Hayes-Hurley. "Despite being such a tremendous athlete she remains humble and grounded," Ms. Wilson said. "Her strengths and abilities are admired by her peers and that of the opposition. She has so much to offer as a young women and athlete. She will truly be a genuine gift to the Binghamton University campus."
"I am excited to have a fresh start with a new group of girls and coaches," Ms. Hayes-Hurley said. "I am looking forward to being challenged athletically as well as academically."
"It will be exciting to watch her participate at the next level," Ms. Wilson said. "I am certain that she will be incredibly successful. I wish her the very best in the journey that lies ahead."