(Photo Credit: Mike Conners/ecgulls.com)
2018 Season Preview
February 1, 2018
BEVERLY, Mass. - In 2017 the women’s lacrosse team enjoyed one of the most successful seasons for Endicott athletics.
In the program’s 22nd year of existence, the Gulls took home the Commonwealth Coast Conference title by beating Roger Williams University in a rematch of the 2016 championship game. The Gulls, who earned their way to the matchup by blowing out Gordon College in the semifinals, finished the season 14-5 overall and 8-0 in CCC, earning the No. 1 seed in the postseason tournament.
Five players were named to the All-CCC First Team while three were named to the Second Team, but the accolades didn’t stop there. Junior Bella Rino was named the Defensive Player of the Year while freshman Jennifer Lacroix took home Rookie of the Year honors.
Serving as the team’s primary goalkeeper, Rino made 108 saves and finished with a 58.4 save percentage. Lacroix was among the team’s offensive leaders, totaling 57 points with 38 goals and 19 assists.
There is no doubt that the team’s ability to work as a unit was a key contributor to its success. With the triumph of last season still fresh in their minds, the team enters 2018 hopeful and ready to work hard. It is that mindset that will allow the team to restore its cohesive dynamic after the loss of five seniors and resignation of head coach Morgan Maciewicz.
The Gulls will be led by new head coach Maureen Spellman. The University of New Haven alum joins the Gulls after coaching five seasons at Southern Connecticut State University. Spellman told the EC Gull she was looking forward to the “opportunity to take the women’s lacrosse program to the next level.”
A promising group of newcomers will also join the team in hopes of contributing towards future Gull victories.
Endicott’s schedule features 15 opponents, including eight CCC foes. The Gulls’ campaign starts with a road trip to Norton, Mass., to face Wheaton College. Endicott will take on Tufts in the Gulls’ home opener on Wednesday, March 7. In preparation for the season ahead, the team will be working vigorously throughout the preseason with an eye toward the CCC Championships, which begins on April 28.
(Photo Credit: Parker Fish/ecgulls.com)
Gulls Welcome Spellman
February 8, 2018
BEVERLY, Mass. - This summer Endicott College welcomed Maureen Spellman as head coach of the women’s lacrosse team. Spellman is the 7th coach in the history of the program. Director of Athletics, Dr. Brian Wylie has high hopes for Spellman and her ability to bring the program’s success even further. Wylie was quoted saying “she truly embraces what it means to be a Gull.”
Spellman joins the Gulls after four seasons with the Southern Connecticut State University Owls. It was there that she began her coaching career upon graduating from the University of New Haven in 2012. Returning to the Division II program Spellman herself had played in at UNH, she joined the team as an assistant coach. It was after just one season that she took the reigns and moved up to head coach for the Owls. In those four years, Spellman coached three NE10 All-Rookie Team Honorees and had 16 student athletes named to the NE10 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll. In her final season as head coach, her team earned the IWLCA Team Academic Award.
It is evident that Spellman has strength in creating an environment in which student athletes are able to prosper. However, being new while at the helm of a program with such a rich history of excellence is no easy task. “It’s tough coming into a group that has seen a ton of success and trying to change everything,” said Spellman. She made it clear that this is not her intention.
Rather than changing the team’s dynamic, Spellman is focused on bringing the team “to the next level.” The team has already begun moving in a positive direction since her arrival in August. “We have seen a lot of team culture shift, where the players are given the opportunities and tools to succeed,” said Spellman. “So far we are moving in the right direction.”
Spellman noted that in addition to their own individual goals, the women also have team goals. “A major program goal is to win the conference championship and get back to the NCAA tournament,” said Spellman. The road to championships starts on Feb. 28 as the Gulls face off against Wheaton in their first game of the 2018 season.
(Photo Credit: ecgulls.com)
Walk, Don't Run
February 15, 2018
BEVERLY, Mass - Playing a collegiate sport is a dream for many. Being sidelined, is a nightmare. Unfortunately for Endicott College junior Jaime Balboni, that nightmare became a reality.
Balboni came to Endicott after a successful athletic career at Billerica Memorial High School. The varsity athlete made her mark on the field catching the eye of Endicott lacrosse coach Morgan Maciewicz. Earning both All-Conference and All-Star recognition in the Merrimack Valley, Balboni was recruited to play for Endicott during her senior year.
Like many other athletes, Balboni experienced shin pain, but she didn’t let this stop her from playing the sport she loved. She continued to excel once reaching Endicott. In just her first season she appeared in 14 games, earning six starts. Playing at attack Balboni also won 21 draw controls, including a season high of seven in her first ever collegiate game. Her success didn’t stop there. Balboni registered 10 points with seven goals and three assists. It was clear that she was a key contributor to the teams success. Everything seemed to be looking up; that was until the pain began to worsen.
“My pain started in March of 2016,” said Balboni. “Since then I have not been able to run without being in pain.” It being her first season with the blue and green, she refused to let it put her on the sidelines. At first she was diagnosed with shin splints; something not uncommon to athletes, but after months of worsening pain it was discovered to be much more than that.
Balboni was suffering from extertional compartment syndrome in both of her legs. “It’s when there’s too much pressure within your muscles causing pain, weakness, and numbness.” Not only was it affecting her ability to perform on the field, but also her ability to do daily activities such as walking and going up a flight of stairs. Balboni underwent her first surgery on December 2, 2016. To her dismay, it was unsuccessful. Not only would she have to go under the knife again, but she would also be forced to spend her sophomore season on the sidelines.
Going from CCC Rookie of the Week to not being able to step on the field was “extremely tough,” said Balboni. “I try to keep a positive attitude and be the teams eyes on the sideline. If I see something that they might not be able to, I give my input and try to help out as much as possible.”
The same will go for the start of this season. Now a junior, Balboni still struggles to move. “I currently can’t run at all,” said Balboni. Almost two years have past and she finds difficulty walking or being on her legs for long periods of time, which for her is “30 minutes, if that.” Despite all of these setbacks, Balboni refuses to give up.
Doing everything she can to get back on the field, Balboni goes to the athletic training room six days a week. “I usually go on the bike for 5-10 minutes because it’s not too straining on my legs,” said Balboni. “I then get exercises to do from my trainer. Once I am done with those I get a calf or shin massage to break up the scar tissue and reduce swelling. After that I usually use the NormaTec or Game Ready [recovery systems] to help the circulation and swelling in my legs.”
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On top of that Balboni is present at every team lift and practice. Her commitment to the team is clear, whether it be working on the recovery process or cheering from the sidelines. “Staying positive is extremely important because it’s contagious and negativity never helps,” said Balboni. Her goal for this season is to be able to run pain free, that way she could be on the field rather than just the sidelines. Until then, she will continue to lead her team from the sidelines and work her way back onto the field.
(Photo Credit: Jaime Balboni)
Optional Protection
February 22, 2018
With the concerns of head injuries heating up in recent years, so has the debate of whether or not headgear should be mandatory in women’s lacrosse.
By law, the use of headgear is optional in women’s lacrosse; though goggles and a mouth guard are required.
With growing fear of the potential lifelong impacts of a head injury, more programs are integrating the use of headgear. This called for a first-ever standard that would ensure the reliability of the new equipement. As of January 1, 2017, any headgear worn by women lacrosse players must meet a performance standard set by US Lacrosse. It was put in place to “reduce impact forces associated with stick and ball contact,” according to the US Lacrosse Rule Book. In addition to the headgear, players must still wear the required protective eyewear.
Headgear may seem like a simple solution to reducing head injuries, but not all involved in the sport feel this way. Therein lies the debate. On one side, there is the argument that if the goal is to protect the head, then putting a helmet on is the way to achieve that. On the other side, there are already strict enough rules in place in women’s lacrosse, to prevent contact with the head. This is the side that most seemed to align with on the Endicott College women’s lacrosse team.
“I don’t think helmets prevent the type of concussions we see the most in women’s lacrosse,” said Head Coach Maureen Spellman. “Most happen from being hit hard, hitting the ground, and getting whiplash. I've only seen one or two concussions from getting hit in the head with a ball or a stick.”
Junior Jaime Balboni agreed with Coach Spellman. “The rules try prevent concussions because of how strict they are,” said Balboni. She explained how the rules for women are much stricter than they are for men. Both men and women are allowed to check, but “their [the men] game is much more physical than ours and they are allowed more body contact,” said Balboni. Women are not allowed to slash or take a big swing when checking, nor can they check near the head. “Essentially we have to have good body positioning and it has to be a quick released check.”
Neither Spellman or Balboni think that headgear should be made mandatory. The debate will carry on, but lucky for the Gulls headgear stands as optional; at least for now.
(Photo Credit: ecgulls.com)
Gulls Soar Past Wheaton (Mass.) 17-5 in Season Opener
February 28, 2018
NORTON, Mass. - The Endicott women’s lacrosse team topped a 15 goal threshold with a 17-5 win in the season opener against Wheaton (Mass.).
The Gulls came out of the gate running, scoring eight consecutive goals in the first 14 minutes of play. Freshman Gabriella Prisco (West Haven, Conn.) kicked off the streak with her first collegiate goal. Wheaton put themselves on the board with a goal from Maddy Lahm, but it did not go unanswered. The Gulls fired back tallying three more goals to end the half 11-1.
Despite a ten goal lead the Gulls did not let up. Putting up her second goal of the game, junior Jackie Healy (Northborough, Mass.) led the Gulls in a second scoring run. Wheaton was able to add four more goals to the scoreboard, but the green and blue showed no signs up stopping. Responding to each of Wheaton’s goals, the Gulls shut down any and every opportunity they had for a comeback.
By the end of regulation time, eight Gulls had netted goals, four of them added a second. Sophomore Alex Fitzgerald (Guilford, Conn.) ripped five shots into the back of the net. The Gulls pulled away with 27 shots compared to Wheaton’s seven.
Geared up in net for the Gulls was junior Bella Rino (Northborough, Mass.). Rino made two saves to keep the opposition at five; allowing her teammates to continue racking up points on the other end of the field.
The Gulls success went beyond the scoreboard. Not only did they out score and out shoot the competition, but they also led in both ground balls and draw controls. Prisco and Rino led the team with three ground balls each, contributing to the final total of 14. The green and blue were almost unstoppable when it came to draw controls tallying 20 compared to Wheaton’s four. “We won 20 out of 24 draw controls, which I think played a key role in our success yesterday. Our attack was able to put in a lot of goals and it wasn’t just a few people scoring the goal. It was everyone,” said Healy. Continuing the theme of triumph, Fitzgerald and Molly McMahon (Hanover, Mass.) contributed two caused turnovers each.
Starting the season with 11 newcomers and a new coach is no easy task, but the Gulls aren’t letting that slow them down. “All of us returners have been embracing the change this season. We’ve kept most of our traditions, on and off the field, the same which has helped us to adapt to all of the new changes,” said Healy. The newcomers are already contributing a great deal on the field, scoring three of the team’s goals and getting the assist on one. “We are super excited about the freshmen class because there’s a lot of talent and they’re really going to be able to help us this season and we’re really excited about Coach Mo because she brings such a different energy to practices and games,” said Healy. “Change is never easy, but we’re all really excited for this season.”
The women hope to continue their success on Saturday March, 3. They will take on Emerson at 4 p.m. in their second regular season match up of 2018.
(Photo Credit: ecgulls.com)
Open Mind Before an Open Mouth
March 8, 2018
Column Piece
There is a lot of controversy that surrounds college athletes. Some people will tell you that they are some of the hardest workers they know. Others think they just coast through with easy classes as long as they contribute to the schools athletic success. It’s no mystery that beliefs like that tend to float closer to Division I schools.
I have worked at both Division I and Division III schools which allowed me first hand experience with this subject. However, I cannot attest to any school I have not worked at. That’s where it becomes so complicated. It eliminates one’s ability to attach academic efforts to athletics. If athletes were in fact passing by with the help of the athletics department at one school, there is no evidence to say that the same thing happens at another.
What I can attest to, is what I have seen in four years at Endicott College. Endicott is often described as a “Division III school with a Division I commitment.” Student athletes take the same required classes as everyone else in their major. At Endicott, students either pick a major or declare themselves undecided. Most students come in having already picked their major, especially for those like nursing, where you have to apply directly to that program.
Student athletes at Endicott take five to six classes per semester plus any required labs, no different than their classmates. They are also required to complete three separate internships; two are 120 hours and one is a semester long. In addition to balancing classes, these students must also fit in practices, team lifts, games, and classroom sessions. All the while still trying to maintain a social life, get enough sleep, and get homework done.
The women’s lacrosse team at Endicott is no exception. Time management is key to their success. Senior Olivia Larson is a two sport athlete, playing field hockey in the fall and lacrosse in the spring. Junior Bella Rino is a nursing major and must juggle studying, labs, classes, and clinical, just in the realm of academics. Another junior with a crazy schedule is Jaime Balboni. Despite an injury that prevents her from playing, Balboni is still present at every team event whether it be cheering them on during a game or pushing them in practice. Like many other athletes, Balboni’s injury forces her to spend a significant period of time doing rehabilitation in the athletic training facilities; just another thing to add to her busy schedule.
In looking at just three athletes is it clear to see the drive that the student athletes have at Endicott College. That is not to say non-athletes don’t have just as busy schedules or don’t work as hard. It does however put a snag in the accusations that student athletes have it easy. I’m not saying this applies to every student athlete at every college, but I do think one should educate themselves before making any assumptions.
Gulls Edge Nor'easters, 21-5
March 29, 2018
BEVERLY, Mass. - The Endicott women’s lacrosse team notched a 21-5 victory over the University of New England on Tuesday evening.
The Gulls kicked off the first half with a fast and furious style of play. Jennifer Lacroix (Wrentham, Mass.) put the Gulls on the scoreboard first, tallying a goal less than three minutes into the game. UNE was quick to answer back, but it wasn’t enough. The Gulls took off on an eight goal scoring spree before UNE was able to notch one more. Responding without hesitation, Lacroix netted her sixth goal of the game which was followed by two more Gull goals to close out the first half, 12-2.
Heading back out for the second half, the Gulls were not about to let the 10 goal lead get in their heads. Once again, Lacroix was first to add a tally to the scoreboard. UNE placed three more goals in the back of the net, but were unable to keep up with the green and blue. The Gulls racked up nine more goals in the second half to seal the victory. "We make each other better every day, pushing each other to fake and take strong, crafty shots," said starting goalie Bella Rino (Northborough, Mass.).
Lacroix led the team with a season-high eight goals and added two assists to yield 10 points on the match up. This achievement ties her for second in program history for most goals in a single game. It also places Lacroix fourth in most points in a single game. Meghan Dutchyshyn (Cheshire, Conn.) followed Lacroix notching five goals. Alex Fitzgerald (Guilford, Conn.) and Jackie Healy (Northborough, Mass.) scored two while Maggie Berger (Old Lyme, Conn.), Mollie Manning (Hull, Mass.), and Megan Jarvis (Auburn, N.H.) all contributed one.
The Gulls also led off of the scoreboard with 21 ground balls and 21 draw controls. Rino shined in net making eight saves, improving both herself and the team to a 6-2 record.
Endicott hopes to continue its success tonight, Thursday March, 29. They take on Tufts at 7 p.m. on home turf.
(Photo Credit: ecgulls.com)
Gulls Top Hawks, 14-9
April 5, 2018
BEVERLY, Mass. - On the road again, the Gulls flew south to face Roger Williams. The Endicott women’s lacrosse team got back on track with a 14-9 against the Hawks on Wednesday.
The Gulls got on the board first with a goal from Meghan Dutchyshyn (Cheshire, Conn.). The Hawks answered back to make it 1-1, but the score wouldn’t stay tied for long. Endicott fired four shots into the back of the net to take a 5-1 lead. It would soon become clear that neither team was going down without a fight. The Hawks scored five more goals of their own followed by the Gulls adding two more to finish out the half, 7-6. “We always aim to show up and play a full 60 minutes,” said goalie Bella Rino (Northborough, Mass.). “Our hard work is what pushes us to rise above other teams.”
Both teams came out ready to play in the second, but it was the Gulls who were ultimately victorious. Communication was key in keeping the Hawks to just three goals, while the Gulls pounded away at the net adding seven more to their side of the board. “Being in the net and having the view I do allows me to communicate and direct my defense,” said Rino. “My goal every game is to have the defense aware of what’s going on around them at all times.”
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Alex Fitzgerald (Guilford, Conn.) led the team with four goals while Meghan Dutchyshyn and Ali Campbell (Lakeville, Mass.) added three each. Jackie Healy (Northborough, Mass.) and Jennifer Lacroix (Wrentham, Mass.) contributed two goals each along with Erin McCarthy (Old Lyme, Conn.) who added a tally of her own. Healy and Fitzgerald also led the team in assists with two each. Though, the scoreboard wasn’t the only place the Gulls outranked the Hawks. Endicott had more shots on net, saves and draw controls than Roger Williams. Olivia Larson (Cheshire, Conn.) led the team with three caused turnovers while Gabriella Prisco (West Haven, Conn.) racked up nine draw controls.
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The Gulls hope to improve to an 8-2 record on Saturday April, 7. Endicott will host Western New England University at 4 p.m. at Hempstead Stadium.
(Photo Credit: ecgulls.com)
Gulls Down Leopards, 19-5
April 19, 2018
BEVERLY, Mass. - In their last home game of the regular season, Endicott women's lacrosse defeated Wentworth and improved to a flawless 7-0 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC).
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The Gulls took off like wildfire, scoring nine unanswered goals by the time the whistle blew for the half. Jennifer Lacroix (Wrentham, Mass.) got the scoring spree off to a start with an unassisted shot on net. Jackie Healy (Northborough, Mass.), Abigail Berger (Old Lyme, Conn.), Meghan Dutchyshyn (Cheshire, Conn.), Alex Fitzgerald (Guilford, Conn.) and Erin McCarthy (Old Lyme, Conn.) all added goals of their own to as the clock winded down.
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Despite the nine goal lead, Endicott remained on their toes. "One weakness we often face when we are beating a team by a lot would be just keeping the communication consistent all over the field," said goalie Bella Rino (Northborough, Mass.). "On defense, it’s difficult facing a fast break after our offense has had the ball for more than five possessions." This held true as Wentworth added a quick two goals of their own less than two minutes into the second half.
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Not about to give up the lead, the Gulls put another six consecutive balls into the back of the net. The Leopards were able to fire back three more goals, but none went unanswered. Nicole Anselmo (Natick, Mass.) scored the Gulls last goal of the game, bringing them to a total of 19. When the final whistle blew the scoreboard read 19-5 in favor of the Gulls.
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Gabriella Prisco (West Haven, Conn.) led the team with six ground balls and six caused turnovers. The Gulls outshot the Leopards 38-14.
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Endicott will conclude their regular season at Nicols on Tuesday April 24 at 4 p.m. A win there would mean an undefeated record in the CCC for the season.
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(Photo Credit: ecgulls.com)