I did not know about the Bucknell in Dublin summer program until my best friend and longtime teammate told me about her trip. Taylor LaMantia (TayLa/La/Le/Lama) and I grew up together in Wilton, CT and I was lucky enough to play with her for one season in high school before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled her senior year.
Wilton is a small town where everyone knows each other. I remember growing up and seeing an intimidating fifth grader (La) in the halls and steering away from her at all cost. Fast forward to my sixth grade, the eighth grade class President, Miss LaMantia, was the coolest girl in the school. She went down as the greatest President in school history, (illegally) ordering pizza to the notorious eighth grade hill sit and getting her presidency revoked.
When I was a freshman in high school all I wanted to do was not get in the way of any of the upperclassmen, especially the girls on the lacrosse team. Tryouts came around in March and I geared up to compete against not only the most talented players in our town, but in the whole country. Taylor was one of those attackers I feared to guard. Her quick footwork and killer elbow drives allowed her to get recruited to Bucknell, a Division 1 program. This dodge and ferocious mentality didn’t leave La when I met her at Bucknell years later.
On the last day of tryouts a few of my friends and I were called into the head coaches office where we were told we made Varsity. I still remember the energy of that moment with the entire team cheering and jumping around with us. Later that night Taylor texted me and congratulated me. She made me feel like I belonged with them and that I could make a difference on the team. Without her I would not be the player I am today because of the confidence she instilled in me when I was only fourteen.
Taylor and I after a home game in 2019 (top left).
Taylor’s class was the heart of the team. I was heartbroken when our season was canceled because of the pandemic. We were so confident that we would beat Darien and finally put a championship banner up in the field house. Taylor and I were not able to see each other and she graduated without a senior season.
Junior year of high school I committed to play at Bucknell and texted Taylor right away. I was so excited to pick up where we left off her junior year and follow in her footsteps. Whenever she came back home from school she would text me to shoot around and we would spend hours talking about Bucknell.
La and my mom!
Next thing I knew I was moving into my dorm at Bucknell and spending every waking moment with Taylor. We would even travel together to and from school and home for each and every break. In these three and a half hour car rides we would talk about everything, but especially her time in Dublin.
La and I after our last game together against Loyola! We love our space buns!
The amazing memories I made with Taylor while she was at Bucknell remind me of the appreciation I now have for my experience here in Dublin. I’m so grateful that the connections I’ve made brought me here. The people I’ve met here are individuals I’m proud to call lifelong friends. I owe Taylor everything for telling me about the program. I love my best friend La!
Taylor even came to visit and showed me her favorite spots in Dublin!
Wow! Way to work! Go Cat and La!