Stuhlman sisters ready to conquer new lacrosse season together
Kate Gaffney, Intern
Utica University’s Women’s Lacrosse team has been a force in the Empire 8 for years now, but this couldn’t have been done without many key players. Grace and Maria Stuhlman have been integral parts of Utica’s successes for the past couple of seasons.
Their season starts on Saturday, Feb. 22, on the road facing SUNY New Paltz.
Although Maria is only a sophomore, her freshman campaign made heads turn around the state, which won her the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year Award.
Grace, a seasoned veteran, battled through injuries which hindered her ability to play in her freshman season. However, her hard work paid off, because she took off in her sophomore season, and has continued to do so throughout her collegiate career. But before all of these successes, the Stuhlmans grew up five minutes away in a lacrosse hot-bed, Whitesboro, under head coach Ben Schoen as 4-year varsity athletes.
They started playing the sport in first grade and fell in love with the game, continuing on to play in a local club, TriCity, which was an easy way to get better without adding much pressure in their younger years.
Once high school began, Schoen nurtured them to become some of the best players the Mohawk Valley had seen in a long time. Both of them agreed he cared a lot about the
//Photo by Kayleigh Strutevant
sport, but even more about his players.
“He developed my lacrosse IQ a lot, and he cares a lot about [his players] which definitely helped me get better,” Grace said.
But the transition from high school sports to the Division III level was difficult.
“The biggest thing for me was learning a new style, which is quicker, and just meeting new people in general… it helped that I had [Grace] to help me,” Maria added.
It was a little more challenging for Grace, as she was coming off of a costly injury that most would deter from sports because of.
“I tore my ACL for a second time in my senior season of lacrosse… that [freshman] season was mostly about
getting back into the swing of things and gaining my confidence back,” Grace said.
However, she battled back, and in her sophomore and junior seasons, Gracie dominated all facets of the game, being the leading goal scorer with 108, overall points with 143, and draw controls with 201. She credits her success with remaining consistent in the gym and continuing to push herself.
In Maria’s first season at the collegiate level, she was the ground ball leader with 42, recorded 29 goals, and came second in assists with 22, only behind Utica Lacrosse legend Sam DeCondo, another Whiteboro alum. Maria is also a star cross country athlete and her agility and mobility sets her apart from other midfielders in the Empire 8.
“It definitely helps because I’m all over the field, and lacrosse helps my speed, so I think it works together well,” Maria said.
The Stuhlmans have been playing together for a long time, which gives them a leg up against any opponent. It’s clear when watching them play that there is something that most teammates can not say that they have.
“We have a connection that you can’t really get anywhere else. In practices and games, it’s more fun because you have your sister there the whole time,” Grace said. Grace also pointed out that they both have things that they are better at, Maria being running, and Grace being in the weight room, so that balance is something that makes both of them better as overall athletes.
“She inspires me because she is so good. I can always lean on her for support and advice about anything,” Maria added.
Despite losing impactful players this season, the Stuhlmans expect a successful 2025 campaign. With an up and coming SUNY Brockport team being added to the Empire 8 and the consistently driven St. John Fisher program being a main competitor for Utica, it could be a tall task. However, that Stuhlman connection cannot be overlooked, as Utica looks to bring an Empire 8 Championship back to Utica.
Their season starts on Saturday, Feb. 22, on the road facing SUNY New Paltz.
Super Bowl 2025: Eagles defense
Kyle Mitchell, Staff Writer
The Super Bowl never fails to deliver unforgettable moments, and this year’s championship matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs was no exception. Sports analysts Liam LaRoe, a criminal justice major, and Brooke Myers, an occupational therapy major, shared their thoughts on the game, the key players, and the highly anticipated Kendrick Lamar halftime show.
Game Reaction
Q: What were your initial thoughts on the Eagles’ performance in the Super Bowl?
LaRoe: The Eagles came in with a strong, aggressive approach, and it was evident they were prepared for this moment. Their execution on both sides of the ball was sharp, and they didn’t let up at any point. They controlled the pace of the game and took advantage of key opportunities.
Myers: The Eagles played with intensity and discipline. From the opening kickoff, they looked focused and determined to control the game. Their execution on both offense and defense was impressive, and they capitalized on key mistakes by the Chiefs.
Q: What do you think went wrong for the Chiefs?
LaRoe: The Chiefs struggled with consistency on offense. Their offensive line had issues containing the Eagles’ pass rush, and Patrick Mahomes didn’t have as much time in the pocket as he’s used to. Drops by receivers and a few questionable play calls also hurt them at crucial moments.
Myers: The Chiefs struggled with offensive rhythm. Their wide receivers had trouble getting separation, and Mahomes didn’t have his usual pocket presence due to the Eagles’ pass rush. They also failed to convert on crucial third
‘dictated the tempo,” halftime show ‘visually stunning’
downs, which hurt their momentum.
Q: Which player stood out the most to you on either team?
LaRoe: Jalen Hurts was phenomenal. His composure, decision-making, and ability to extend plays were the defining factors in the Eagles’ success. He showed why he belongs among the elite quarterbacks in the league.
Myers: A.J. Brown had an outstanding game. His route-running and ability to make contested catches gave the Eagles a serious edge. He stepped up in key moments and helped keep their offense moving.
Q: How do you feel about Patrick Mahomes’ performance in this game?
LaRoe: Mahomes played well considering the circumstances. He faced relentless pressure and had to make a lot happen on the fly. While he didn’t have his best game statistically, his resilience and leadership were still evident.
Q: Do you think the Eagles’ defense was the main reason for their win?
Myers: Yes, their defense dictated the tempo. The defensive line put relentless pressure on Mahomes, and their secondary made crucial stops. They forced the Chiefs into uncomfortable situations all night.
Q: What was the most memorable play of the game for you?
LaRoe: The strip-sack in the third quarter that set up a crucial touchdown for the Eagles. It was a game-changing moment that shifted momentum completely in their favor.
Q: If you could change one thing about the game, what would it be?
LaRoe: I would’ve liked to see the Chiefs establish a stronger run game early on. They became
too reliant on Mahomes making magic happen, which made them predictable.
Myers: I would have liked to see the Chiefs get more creative with their play-calling. They became too predictable, which allowed the Eagles’ defense to key in on their tendencies.
Q: Do you think the Chiefs can bounce back next season?
Myers: Definitely. Mahomes is too talented to stay down for long. If they improve their offensive line and add a few more weapons, they’ll be right back in the mix next year.
Q: How does this game compare to past Super Bowls in terms of excitement?
LaRoe: It was a solid game, but I wouldn’t rank it among the most thrilling Super Bowls of all time. It had its moments, but there have been matchups with more dramatic finishes and back-and-forth action.
Myers: It was solid, but not the most thrilling. There were great moments, but I’ve seen Super Bowls with more dramatic finishes. It was a well-played game, but it lacked that one defining moment that people will talk about for years.
Halftime Show Reaction
Q: What was your overall impression of the halftime show?
LaRoe: It was a visually stunning performance with high energy and a well-crafted setlist. The artist brought their signature style to the biggest stage in music and delivered a memorable show.
Myers: It was a fun and energetic performance. The artist brought a lot of charisma and stage presence, and the production value was top-notch.
Q: Did the artist(s) live up to your expectations? Why or why not?
LaRoe: For the most part, yes. Their vocals were strong, and they brought a level of charisma that kept the audience engaged. However, there were a few moments where the pacing felt a little off.
Myers: Yes and no. The setlist was strong, and the energy was high, but I was expecting a bit more in terms of surprises or guest appearances.
Q: What was your favorite part of the performance?
LaRoe: The final song. It wrapped up the performance on a high note and had the entire stadium on their feet.
Myers: The choreography. The dancers brought a whole new level of excitement, and the way they interacted with the stage setup made the performance even more engaging.
//Photo from Pexels.com
