Lacrosse: It's all in the family
By: JOE LICANDRO
Sports Writer
If you take a quick glance at this year's media guides for the Notre Dame men's and women's lacrosse teams, you will notice that the last names Simon and Shearer appear on each team's roster.
This is no coincidence.
For Eric Simon and his younger sister Meredith and for Danielle Shearer and her younger brother Will, Notre Dame lacrosse is truly a family affair.
Meet the Simons
Sophomore Meredith Simon has been following in her brother's footsteps ever since she was a kid growing up in Flemington, N.J. After excelling at softball and soccer in grade school, she wanted to add another sport to her resume in high school.
"I was looking to do something different," Meredith said with a laugh. "Eric had been playing lacrosse for a few years, and he encouraged me to give it a try. We used to play in the backyard a lot. He played defense on me. I never scored."
Just like his little sister, Eric Simon was also a three-sport star at Hunterdon Central High School. Eric's athletic talent shined the most on the lacrosse field, where he was named a second-team all-state selection in New Jersey during his senior year.
After being recruited by several colleges, Eric decided to attend Notre Dame because he wanted to help build a lacrosse tradition here.
Little did he know one year later his sister would be following him to South Bend for the same reason.
"After my first couple of months at Notre Dame, I knew that she would fit in here really well," Eric said. "Every time I called home, I wanted to know if she got in. Meredith is just perfect for Notre Dame."
Both of the Simons have been fixtures in the starting lineups for their respective teams over the last two years. As a sophomore, Eric cracked the starting lineup as a defenseman for the best men's lacrosse team in Notre Dame history. His strong defensive play helped the Irish advance all the way to the Final Four.
This season has been a bit more challenging for both Eric and the Irish. Eric has been out of action for the last three weeks with a broken left hand, but hopes to possibly return this Saturday against Army and help Notre Dame extend its current winning streak to four games.
Although their overall record is only 4-5, the Irish look to be in excellent shape to return to the NCAA Tournament.
Notre Dame currently sits atop the Great Western Lacrosse League with an unblemished 3-0 record. The winner of the league earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"The last three games have been really good for us," Eric said. "I'll be back soon. I think we can win our last four games and make some noise in the tournament."
Although she does not play the same position as her brother, Meredith Simon's stellar play at midfield is a big reason why the women's team is enjoying its best season in Notre Dame history. As a freshman, Meredith made an immediate impact, starting 13 games for the Irish. This year, Meredith is tied for the third on the team in scoring with 15 goals.
"We have a really special team this year," Meredith said. "We all have fun, and we all work hard. We can definitely compete for the NCAA Championship."
Meet the Shearers
If there is anyone who can relate to Eric Simon having a younger sibling attend Notre Dame to play lacrosse, it is junior Danielle Shearer.
After watching her younger brother, Will, fall in love with lacrosse at the age of five, Danielle finally decided to pick up a lacrosse stick when she was 14.
She has not put it down since.
"Our Dad played lacrosse in college," said Danielle. "Will and he kept telling me to play, so I finally played for the first time in eighth grade."
Last year, as a sophomore, the midfielder from Hampstead, Md., led the Irish in scoring with 35 goals. As if that is not impressive enough, Danielle set a Notre Dame record with six goals in one half against the Syracuse Orangemen last year.
Through ten games this year, Shearer leads the Irish with 36 points on a team-high 25 goals and 11 assists. Danielle is quick to give her brother credit for her success.
"He helped me out a lot," Danielle said. "He really helped me learn the game. We have a goal in my backyard and we used to practice together all the time."
Unfortunately, Will has not played yet for the men's team because he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury before the start of the season. Will is currently rehabbing his shoulder from surgery and hopes to contribute to the Irish over the next few years.
"I'm really excited about the future," Will said. "I hope to help the team in any way I can. I really want to help us do more than last year's team that made it to the Final Four."
A Special Bond
Even though the brother-sister tandems do not have the opportunity to see each other play very often because of conflicting lacrosse schedules, they are never afraid to give each other advice.
"My sister knows my game better than anyone else," Eric Simon said. "She will be the first person to tell me if I could have played better. Every now and then, I'll give her a pointer, too."
Danielle Shearer said having her brother watch her play helps her tremendously.
"I love it when my brother watches me play," Danielle said. "He always gives me negative reinforcement. No, I'm just kidding. He usually has something positive to say."
Will did have something positive to say about his sister's career at Notre Dame.
"My sister is so quick on the field," said Will. "She is just an incredible offensive player."
Sometimes playing in the shadow of a sibling can be difficult, but the Simons and the Shearers would not have it any other way. Both brother-sister tandems are extremely close off the field and very happy to be at Notre Dame together.
"I'm absolutely thrilled my brother is here at Notre Dame," Danielle said. "We are so tight. We did not go to the same high school so it is really great that we are going to college together."
Will credits Danielle for helping him get accepted into Notre Dame and making his transition to college life much easier.
"She helped me a lot with the admissions process," he said. "I'm really glad we both go to Notre Dame."
Like the Shearers, the Simons know that it is a special opportunity to attend and play lacrosse at the same school as their sibling.
"Off the field, we have really different schedules," Eric said. "I live off-campus and she lives on campus, but we still see each other as much as possible. I go over to visit her a few times a week. We go to movies together a lot."
"We're best friends," Meredith said with a big smile when describing her relationship with her brother. "He's the number one role model in my life. I wouldn't be at Notre Dame if it weren't for him."
All Sports Stories for Friday, April 12, 2002
