Newsday Athlete of the Week is Cold Spring Harbor's Maggie Spehr

As a freshman, Maggie Spehr was timid, but after players went down with an injury, she knew she had to step up. Now, the senior is confident in her skills and never shies away from the big moment for the Cold Spring Harbor girls lacrosse team.

"I know that if I have the ball in my stick, I know I'm going to make a play," Spehr said. "I trust the rest of my teammates because I believe in myself and my teammates."

Her fearlessness was on full display on Wednesday. After being up 6-2, Fairport made a comeback to force the game into double overtime. But the Seahawks refused to quit. Spehr scored the winning goal with 1:04 left, giving the reigning state Class D champions an 8-7 victory. Spehr finished the game with two goals.

"In the huddle, we were talking about how we knew if we got the ball, we were going to finish it," Spehr said. "I was telling myself, 'You have to take a deep breath, you deserve to be on this team, you deserve to have the final shot.' "

"Sometimes, when your name is called, you get that shock factor or the big eyes because it's a little too much for someone to carry on their shoulders, " coach Danielle Castellane said. "But with (Maggie) and the other names that were called, you got the nod and the stare down like 'yeah, I got this,' and you always get that from Maggie."

The midfielder added two goals in an 11-9 comeback victory against Manhasset on Thursday.

For her efforts, Spehr is Newsday's Athlete of the Week.

"Teachers, coaches, administrators, lunch aides, people in the building are always singing her praises," Castellane said. "It's amazing to hear as a coach when your kid is so well-rounded in school and the community."

Whether she is on the soccer field in the fall, dribbling a basketball in the winter, or holding a lacrosse stick in the spring, Spehr wants to push herself to be the best she can be.

"It's rare to find a three-sport athlete who plays all three well, but that's what makes Maggie so great," Castellane said. "It's inspiring because it's tough today to play three sports, especially if you want to continue to the next level. She's able to be the same athlete and person in all three."

Following in the footsteps of her older siblings, Anna and Will, the youngest Spehr has committed to play lacrosse at Middlebury College in Vermont.

"I tried to do something different than my siblings but ultimately ended up in Middlebury," Spehr said. "My brother and sister met the most amazing people and found great job opportunities. Getting an amazing academic experience while playing lacrosse at a high level is something I always strive for."

"We've been around the Spehrs for quite some time, and Maggie being the last of the three, they are a family you are going to miss," Castellane said. "Her family is super solid and super kind. They are the type of people you want to be around."

In addition to her hard work and dedication to sports, Spehr still finds time to maintain a 4.28 weighted GPA and is the student council treasurer.

"It's tough for sure, but the main thing is I work hard all day in school," Spehr said. "I set aside time for me to get things done ahead of time."