Two new assistant coaches strengthen women’s lacrosse

SHARON M. KOLANKIEWICZ ASST. COPY & PERSPECTIVES EDITOR SMK724@CABRINI EDU

This year the women’s lacrosse team welcomes two new additions. Melissa Michels and Colleen Connor are the two new assistant coaches. Although both of them are entering this season as two new coaches, they are no strangers to the lacrosse field or to head coach Jackie Neary.

Michels was an assistant coach for Coach Neary four years ago.

“The girls loved her then, and that is why it is a pleasure to have her back,” Neary said. Michels has also had the experience of being a head coach in women’s lacrosse. She has been playing lacrosse for 12 years and coaching for six years. Although Michels has not been at Cabrini for a long time period, she has devoted herself to the game of lacrosse. Besides playing in college, she also played one year post-college. Since then she has been coaching at various high schools and colleges. So what was one of the aspects that influenced her to come back to Cabrini?

“Jackie and the kids did great. She is so much fun to work with and she always recruits great kids. Cabrini has a strong lacrosse tradition, both in men and womens,” Michels said. She is looking forward to working with Coach Connor, Coach Neary and the team.

Connor is extremely excited to be back at Cabrini. She is an alum who played field hockey and lacrosse for Cabrini. Connor is also excited to work side-byside with Coach Neary.

“Neary was my coach and when the opportunity arose for me to coach alongside of her, I jumped on it,” Connor said. According to Connor, Neary’s motivation attitudes also inspired her to return to Cabrini. “After you graduate, you really miss that part of your life, and I wanted to give back to Cabrini,” Connor said. Connor hopes to instill her knowledge of the game on the girls, and she hopes to be an inspiration. Lacrosse has always been a big part of Connor’s life. Although this is Connor’s first year coaching a team, she has been playing lacrosse since 4th grade and has coached for many lacrosse clinics and camps.

Coach Neary assures that she and the team look forward to working with Michels and Connor. All three believe that this year’s team has what it takes to make it to and win the PAC championship. Neary emphasizes that although they may have different coaching techniques, they all share a passion for lacrosse. Neary also adds that both assistant coaches bring new life to the team.

“Due to the fact that both Melissa and Colleen have played for me before made the transition easy, and both of them bring a breath of fresh air to our program,” Neary said.

CLR723@CABRINI

EDU

Born and raised in Toronto, BC, Scott Bordignon, a freshman exercise science and health promotion major, joined Cabrini to pursue his lifelong hobby; lacrosse. Indulged in the sport from the early age of six as a component to his once violent self, Bordignon’s passion grew founder as he developed a sense of admiration towards the sport.

With dedication and heartfelt feelings for Lacrosse, Bordignon channeled his path to no other than three national winning games during his career as an offensive attack. In association to such credentials, Bordignon brought home a victory in the Minto Cup, a wellrespected Championship whose presence has gone noticed for over a century.

Despite such a success, much effort and hard-sweating years went by to reach such desirable a level. For instance, as opposed to settling down for the conventional, school-driven teams, Bordignon’s drive to victory launched him closer to competition as he joined a sports associated club for lacrosse.

“Sports are not taken all that seriously back home when dealing with schools. So instead of joining one of them, I decided to take a more serious approach and join a sports associate club.”

Bordignon affirms that the pillar to his hard work amounts to more than the average hours spent in a gym. For him, dedication and hard work is a direct effect of heart, “I’ve played games with broken fingers, swollen knees and having had concussions. Previous teammates have also been known to play with stitches in their head. It’s all a question of heart, even if it will affect your career one way or another.”

In addition to Bordignon’s drive, his values towards the sport extend farther than the rugged, muddy pits of the field. As he made his way from Lacrosse camp in Baltimore to Cabrini, Bordignon was faced with the tough decision to give up his place as a forward attack and take up that of a team goalie.

“Sure it was hard giving up my position, but I see this as a learning experience. You know, almost like a once-in-a-lifetime chance. It really doesn’t get any better than that,” Bordignon said.

Having never played “outdoor” lacrosse, competing under Cabrini’s blue uniforms has proven a success despite having to be a goalie. Consequently, Bordignon sees much talent amongst the team and is persuaded that the season, as well as his years ahead, will unwind positively.

“I observe the upperclassmen on my team and realize how much there is to look forward too. We really have a good group of guys out here. It’s really an honor to play with them.”

Thus far, Bordignon remains strong-minded in regards to the success of this year’s team, despite the few loses they have encountered in the start of the season. As he so confidently stated, the team will, without a doubt, pull out of that losing period and regain that winning grove.

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