RallyNorth.net

Fraser twins communicate success at Masconomet

Tuesday, April, 29 By Matt Jenkins
Staff writer

Heather and Brittany Fraser are the stereotypical twins.

Brittany has picked up shirts while shopping and turned around to see Heather holding the same article of clothing. And finishing each other's thoughts? That happens more frequently than the Fraser-led Masconomet girls lacrosse team has been scoring goals this spring.

Heather and Brittany, who turned 17 last Wednesday, are standout junior midfielders on a Masconomet team that seems headed for a long postseason run this spring.

One of the keys to the Chieftains' success is the team's unselfishness. That's not a trait lost on the Fraser twins.

"I would say Heather is the more consistent player overall," Brittany said, comparing her game with her sister's. "There are more games that I'll fall behind in, and she's always really consistent. When she has an off game, it's weird."

No sooner did Brittany get the sentiment past her lips when Heather interjected.

"Really? I don't know," Heather said. "I think I am pretty consistent. I pay attention to my game, but more to Brittany's game because I see her playing. She stands out; that's what I remember. I don't remember when she falls behind | just when she stands out."

It's hard to imagine either of these gifted lacrosse players ever falling behind. Both began playing in the fourth grade and before they had even enrolled at Masconomet they were already thinking lacrosse was a sport they could play in college.

Fully entrenched in the college search now, neither Brittany nor Heather can say for sure if they'll end up at the same school. They recently visited Boston College and have more or less liked the same schools so far.

"I think I'll just end up making a decision and see what she does," Brittany said. "We've always gone (to school) together and we like all the same schools, except for BU (Boston University) | I liked it and she didn't. I made that decision on my own; the fact that she doesn't like the school hasn't changed my mind."

On the other hand, the sisters can see the benefits of staying together.

"I'm sure it would be easier for our parents to get to games, but they're supportive in everything we do," Heather, who is three minutes older than Brittany, said. "They never get in our way; it's completely up to us. But obviously, it would be easier since we've always played together."

Heather and Brittany got their love of sports | most notably lacrosse | by watching their older brothers, Justin and Dean, play various high school sports.

The family leans on one another when it comes to athletics, and it has helped with their growth. Dean is currently a defender on the Providence College team, but that doesn't mean his younger sisters will take it easy on him.

"The work ethic (my brothers) would bring home, I adopted it for myself," Brittany said. "Dean was playing catch with us outside one day and he wasn't catching the ball. I told him he needed to play wall ball. He laughed at me, but the next day we heard him playing wall ball in the basement. We all use each other. It's created a good environment."

That good environment has followed the Frasers to the Chieftains. At 7-1, they're easily one of the top teams on the North Shore. The Topsfield school is blessed with talent, scoring balance and experience.

"The points weren't as evenly spread my freshman and sophomore years, but this year we're firing shots in. We've scored 20-plus goals in multiple games," Brittany said. "It's not just one person; everyone has been stepping up and can score. We have so much depth and work well together."

Scoring goals is great | Brittany had seven this season in one game against Pentucket | but both girls know the game is won on ground balls and draw controls. Ultimately, it all comes down to possession.

"You can't finish what you haven't started," Heather said.

Or, in the Fraser sisters' case, you can't finish what your sister hasn't started.