Girls Lacrosse Co-Captain Lauren Herlihy ’25 strives to hold her teammates accountable and build strong relationships within the entire team. Herlihy leads by strong example, ensuring that everyone on the team feels supported and valued, both on and off the field.
According to Quiana Bell ’26, Herlihy excels not only as a remarkable captain and lacrosse athlete but also as an exceptional friend. She notes that Herlihy always connects with every member of the team as a friend, while also balancing the team’s needs to present its most competitive selves on the field.
“I think Lauren maintains a very good balance between being a friend but also a leader. I feel like she always knows when to hype us up, like being the supportive team that we need, but also, if we’re ever not focusing in, if we are goofing around during practice, she’ll always speak up and say, ‘Guys, this is an important step we’re doing. This is how we’re going to get better; everyone focus on it.’ So, I feel like she just finds that balance, and I think she executes that very well to keep our team our most competitive and highest energy that we can be,” said Bell.
Charley Drouin ’25 credited Herlihy for her skill in balancing her roles as an Upper captain on the team. Not only does she serve as a mediator and connector between lowerclassmen and upperclassmen, but she also is a role model for the team to learn from.
Drouin said, “I would describe her leadership as being really intense but also really supportive and fun. She brings the team together so much, and I think being an Upper and a captain is especially hard just because you’re not quite a Senior, but you’re also not a lowerclassmen, so I think she does a really good job of being that bridge between the two. I’ve always looked up to her for that, so I definitely think her leadership is different and unique to her.”
Bell also called attention to Herlihy’s ability to make all players feel included. Herlihy works with all members on the team and promotes collaboration and teamwork.
“I feel like she’s also such a big advocate for team chemistry. I feel like everyone on our team is friends with one another, and there is no difference between upperclassmen and lowerclassmen. I feel like she really promotes that idea and is always partners with any one of us. It doesn’t feel like there’s much of a divide, which I think also really helps our team chemistry as a whole,” said Bell.
Striving for inclusivity, Herlihy highlighted that those relationships between teammates across grades serve as a foundation for the team’s success and provide a community.
Herlihy said, “The type of leadership I strive for would be making sure every person, no matter their role on the team, feels like they are contributing to the success of the team. I think it’s important for everyone to feel included and accounted for. And to also be a really competitive team and also fun while doing it and creating those good friendships. Even my best friends now are girls on the lacrosse team.”
Bell highlighted Herlihy’s passion for the sport and her extensive knowledge. Herlihy often provides personalized technical feedback to her teammates. By holding everyone accountable, the players are able to improve everyday.
Bell said, “I feel it’s so obvious how much passion she has for the sport because even if we’re not directly at practice, I will have conversations with her about what I need to improve upon. So, I feel like she works with everybody off the field for us to see how we can continue to improve and get better even when we’re not on the field.”
To Herlihy, the sport is not just about the plays and the wins but also about the relationships she makes along the way. Herlihy has been playing lacrosse from a young age and has built a close-knit community within.
“I started playing lacrosse in kindergarten, and it was just a very popular sport in my town, and a lot of my friends growing up played with me… I just really love the game, and I love all the teammates that I’ve been able to make along the way. A lot of my teammates are my closest friends,” said Herlihy.
Herhily is committed to play Division 1 lacrosse at Boston College.
