Dec. 13, 2017
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Head Coach Missy Doherty and the Penn State women's lacrosse team announced earlier this week that senior's Katie O'Donnell (West Chester, Pa.) and Maggie Gallagher (Bel Air, Md.) and junior Kayla Brisolari (Crofton, Md.) will serve as team captains for the 2018 season.
O'Donnell returns as captain for the second consecutive season after helping lead Penn State back to the NCAA National Semifinals in 2017 as the Nittany Lions finished the year at 17-4 marking their most wins in a season since a program-record 19 in 1989.
O'Donnell, an All-Big Ten honoree and IWLA Second-Team All-American, finished last season second on the team with 65 goals while her 71 points was good for third. The senior enters her final season in Happy Valley tied with Michele DeJuliis '97 for ninth on the all-time goals list with 142.
"It means a lot to be voted back as a captain for the 2018 season," O'Donnell mentioned. "It's always nice to feel your teammates trust and belief in you to be a leader of this great group."
O'Donnell is joined by two first-year captains in Gallagher and Brisolari who have solidified the midfield over the past few seasons for the Nittany Lions. Gallagher finished fourth on the team in goals last season with 23 while her 39 points were also good for fourth.
Gallagher, who emphasizing the importance of putting in extra work, played her best lacrosse late last season as she netted her first career hat-tricks in the Big Ten Semifinals against Northwestern and in the NCAA Semifinals against the top-seeded Maryland Terrapins. Gallagher was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team along with O'Donnell following the National Championship game.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this amazing group of girls through hard work, strong communication and setting a positive example," commented Gallagher. "I like to lead by example and always be positive and encouraging to my teammates."
Brisolari, a 2017 All-Big Ten Tournament Team member, started all 21 games as a sophomore after just two starts during her freshman campaign in 2016. She had a breakout year with 15 goals and nine assists for 24 points and was second on the team in groundballs and draw controls with 39 and 41, respectively. Her 19 caused turnovers were good for fourth on the team.
The junior is a driven individual who is a fairly vocal leader and loves to bring enthusiasm and energy each and every day to workouts, practices and games.
"To me, serving as captain means leading and motivating my teammates to be better every day, both on and off the field," stated Brisolari.
The Nittany Lions will begin their quest at a third-straight NCAA National Semifinal appearance when they open the 2018 slate on the road at Towson on February 10 at 1 p.m.