Since she first picked up a lacrosse stick at about five years old, attacker Megan Whittle dreamed of playing for the Maryland women’s lacrosse team.
On Friday, about 16 years later, she’ll be celebrated at Senior Day as one of the program’s most prolific players ever. Whittle and attacker Taylor Hensh have had the most notable on-field careers of any seniors, but coach Cathy Reese said she’s looking forward to honoring each of the eight veterans.
“I’ve seen three other Senior Day ceremonies, so it’s cool that it’s finally our class’ turn to get that and get that recognition,” Whittle said. “We’ve been through a lot, done a lot, accomplished a lot here at Maryland, to be able celebrate my group of girls is really exciting for me.”
[Read more: No. 3 Maryland women’s lacrosse scores final six goals in 15-8 win over No. 10 Virginia]
Hensh and Whittle are two of the team’s captains this season — along with juniors Jen Giles and Julia Braig — and have been vital to the team’s success in their four years. Meanwhile, defender and fellow senior Kathy Rudkin has started every game for the Terps this season after transferring from Syracuse.
Whittle led the team in scoring her first three years, and ranked in the top 10 in the nation each of those years. She’s scored eight goals in national championship games, including two hat tricks. She is also a three-time All-American and All-Big Ten honoree and is six goals from becoming Maryland’s all-time leading scorer.
Hensh earned a role as a consistent starter this season after being an impact player off the bench last year with 35 goals and eight assists, including seven goals in the Final Four last year — four against Penn State, three against Boston College in the title game.
For some of the little-used seniors like Kacie Longo, Julie LeGar, Steff Holmes, Emma Moss and Alex McKay these postseason successes have made the Maryland experience particularly rewarding.
“Being on the team is one thing, but the fact that we can accomplish all of those things at the same time, it’s really amazing,” Longo said. “It’s something that we all look forward to every year and it’s something that we pride ourselves on.”
Those players, along with Rudkin, are valued members of the team, Reese said, however.
“Everyone has an important role on this team, whether they’re someone that’s on the field for 60 minutes or they’re someone that’s not,” Reese said. “Each of these seniors brings something different, unique and special to our group and to our team, and they have been crucial to our success throughout their college careers.”
