Her media guide biography dubs her “the most naturally talented lacrosse player on the team.” Team co-captain Erin Elbe (CAS ‘02) from Garden City, N.Y., a psychology major and sociology minor, started playing lacrosse in seventh grade and has developed into one of the nation’s elite players. In high school, Elbe played soccer, basketball and lacrosse, but she knew she wanted to play lacrosse in college.
“My high school coach is one of my best friends. She steered me in the right direction,” said Elbe.
Several schools recruited Elbe, but she chose Georgetown because of its developing program, a program which has continued to grow each year.
“Georgetown had a pretty strong program when I started, and I wanted to be a part of a building program,” Elbe said.
Elbe plays attack and is a three-year starter. Her list of honors is endless: In her first year, Elbe was named to 1999-2000 United States Developmental Team, she received 1999 Brine/Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association South Regional All-American First Team honors, was a 1999 Brine/IWLCA National All-American Third Team member and Earned Eastern College Athletic Conference/Reebok Division I Rookie of the Week in April 1999. After ranking second on the team in points and 26th nationally in goals per game, Elbe was selected to the U.S. Lacrosse National Tournament South II Team.
Sophomore year Elbe continued to shine. She further improved her game and was named to the 2000 Brine/IWLCA National All-American Second Team, the South Regional All-American Second Team and the U.S. Developmental Team. Elbe jumped from 26th to 24th nationally in goals per game and earned U.S. Lacrosse National Tournament South I Team honors.
Last season, in her junior year, Elbe was selected to the 2001 College Lacrosse USA Pre-Season First Team and, after two years of playing on the developmental team, she was named to the 2000-2001 U.S. National Elite Team.
For the 2002 season, Elbe will be a co-captain for the Hoyas. Elbe said that she will need to be more vocal and take the team into her hands.
“I will have to be there for everybody. It’s not a new role, but more defined,” Elbe said.
Looking forward to the Hoya season, Elbe said, “Every year we have done better than the last and competed at a higher level. Last year we made it to the National Championship and lost. I have no doubt in my mind that we can win the championship [this year]. We need to fill some holes. I think we have such a talented team, but different, in a good way.”
Although Elbe feels that Georgetown’s toughest opponents are traditionally Princeton, Duke, Maryland and North Carolina, she said, “Every year all teams get stronger and every game is important.”
This year Elbe is joined on the team by her sister, Catherine Elbe (MSB ‘05). Elbe said her family is extremely supportive: “They come to every game, and I love it,” she said.
In addition to leading the Hoyas, Elbe has played on the U.S. National Team for three seasons. She played on the developmental team for the past two years and this year qualified as an elite.
Elbe also tried out for the U.S. World Cup team and made it as one of eight alternates, along with Georetown alumna Sheehan Stanwick (MSB ‘01). The World Cup team plays against England, Wales, Japan and Australia. Last year, the United States won the championship.
Elbe is unsure if she wants to play lacrosse after college. “It depends on what job I get, but I would love to play as long as I can,” she said.
Still, if it were not for her coaches at Georgetown, Elbe said she would not be playing lacrosse.
“I don’t know [all the teams],” she said, “but I think we have the best coaching staff of any team.”
While looking toward the current season, Elbe said, “The Final Four was one of the best experiences I ever had with my team, it was unbelievable, and I know we want to do that again.”
