SCARBOROUGH-Scarborough senior field hockey standout Brittany Ross, the school’s two-time reigning Fall Female Athlete of the Year and a Miss Maine Field Hockey finalist this fall, signed a National Letter of Intent Thursday afternoon to attend and play field hockey at Providence College. She did not mention her field of study.

“I started looking at schools my junior year and Providence was actually the first school I looked at,” said Ross, who was also considering the University of Maine, her mother’s alma mater. “I loved the campus. I liked all the programs and the coach was really nice. It was a really tough decision. I knew it’s where I wanted to go to school. They play in a very competitive conference. Coach said I would be an impact player.”

Providence went 10-11 a year ago, losing to Syracuse in the Big East Conference Final.

Ross made an immediate splash as a freshman at Scarborough, being named to the all-conference and all-state teams, a trend that would continue throughout her high school career. Each of her seasons, her team got better and on Oct. 31 of last year, the Red Storm, thanks to a late, game-tying goal from Ross, beat Skowhegan 2-1 in overtime for their first-ever state championship.

“I think she’ll be a pleasant surprise next year for Providence,” said Scarborough coach Kerry Mariello. “They’ll be wowed by her. They don’t know how much talent she has. The difference-maker is her speed compared to the other D1-quality athletes. She was an outstanding player for our program. She showed up in big games. She’s going to be irreplaceable. She’s our first Division I athlete for field hockey. I’m very proud of her.”

Ross finished with 31 goals and 12 assists in 2009 and will graduate as the program’s record-holder in season and career (82) goals. The Red Storm went 57-9 with her on the field.

Ross loved her time on the field in a Scarborough uniform.

“We just got better every year,” she said. A lot of that had to do with coach. We’re all friends. We knew what we needed to do this year and we did it.”

If field hockey excellence wasn’t enough, Ross plays lacrosse in the spring is also a key cog on the Red Storm’s undefeated girls’ basketball team, which enters the upcoming tournament as the No. 1 seed. Scarborough is seeking its first-ever state title in that sport as well.

“Brittany’s the consummate teammate,” said girls’ basketball coach Jim Seavey. “She’ll do whatever it takes to make her team a success.”

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net

Ross, along with coach Kerry Mariello (right) and teammate Heather Carrier.

Ross is also a standout for the undefeated Red Storm girls’ basketball team, which enters the Western A tournament as the top seed. She was joined Thursday by teammates (from left) Sarah Moody, Heather Carrier and Jenn Colpitts.

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Scarborough senior Brittany Ross (flanked by parents Michelle and Chris) signs a National Letter of Intent to attend Providence College. More photos below.

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