Nelson signs for lacrosse

Senior Scott Nelson has signed an official letter of intent to play lacrosse for Notre Dame de Namur (NDNU). Nelson told The Nugget he's thrilled he gets to continue to play the game he loves so much.

Nelson switched over from track to lacrosse five years ago, and knows he made the right decision.

"Lacrosse was a different sport, and one I hadn't done, and I decided I didn't want to go with the flow," said Nelson. "There's something about lacrosse that just clicks with me. I think it's the flow of the game because it doesn't stop. If the ball hits the ground you keep going."

Scott made the varsity squad as a freshman, and has played both midfielder and attack, but told The Nugget his favorite position is attack.

"At midfield you run up and down the field so much you have to take breaks," said Nelson. "I like playing attack, and being in on offense all the time, and I love not coming out of the game. I love the physical contact, and fighting for ground-balls. I try to get in there, and not get knocked out."

Nelson has been an integral part of the Outlaws' squad for the past four years, and he contributed on many levels. This season Scott averaged five goals and four assists per game, but it took a lot of dedication, and hard work over the past several years to become the top-notch player he is today.

"I try to put in as much time as I can on stick skills, and I practice outside of regular practice as much as I can," said Nelson. "After football practice, I would go home and practice one to two hours for lacrosse. At night I'd put on the floodlights, and I'd throw off the wall or the rebounder. I practice all year long. In the summer I go to camps and play on tournament teams."

Coach Bill Rexford, Nelson's coach for the past four years, couldn't say enough about Scott, his work ethic and his skills.

"It may look like things come easy to him, but I know how hard he works so he can succeed," said Rexford. "His success on the lacrosse field is notable. Scott is an all-league selection, a member of two select teams, and our hopes for the season, in no small part, is due to Scott's ability to score, play defense, and whatever else needs to be done in order for us to win.

"What people don't realize is that Scott has put in hundreds of hours, easily a thousand, in working on his game," added Rexford. "His rocket shot and his dodges did not come prepackaged. He earned them. If half my players had his work ethic, we would win state championships year in and year out; if two more players had his work ethic we would be contenders year in and year out. If Scott is hurt, I am the last to know about it. He plays through the pain and keeps it on the inside. This toughness masks his sensitivity, and others may not know that he is only so tough because he cares so much."

Rexford also holds a special place in Scott's heart.

"Rexford is not just a great coach but a great player, and a Hall-of-Famer from Dartmouth," said Nelson. "On top of coaching, I've seen him play, and I've played against him. Every day I spend with him makes me better. We're really close, and I'll miss him." (Rexford is leaving Sisters for Connecticut).

Nelson visited NDNU over spring break, and met head coach Kevin Arabejo, and the entire lacrosse squad. Scott was able to hang out with the team before one of their games, and watch from the sidelines during the contest.

"It felt like a close team, and a place I could feel a part of right away," he said. "After talking with the coaches, I went back home, and sent them some film. One week later, they called me, and asked me to come and play for them."

Nelson will head to NDNU this fall to play for the Argonaunts, along with current Sisters' teammate Jens Stadeli.

"Jens and I are really good friends," said Nelson. "We started to play lacrosse together in eighth grade, and have played together since. It's going to be awesome to play with him, and keep it going in college."