Senior Maddy Coen, an attacker and draw specialist for the girls varsity lacrosse team, announced her commitment to The College of New Jersey on June 18 via instagram.
Coen transferred from Hoboken Dual Language Charter School to Westfield going into her freshman year of high school. She said, “I feel Westfield opened up opportunities for me and really made me realize how much I loved lacrosse. When I moved here, I remember the lacrosse program standing out to me and one day hoped to be there.”
While making the move, Coen joined Building Blocks Lacrosse, a standout club team in New Jersey, and an eye-opening opportunity for Coen to further her athletic career.
Jay Roussey, the Academy Director at BBL and head coach for Coen, said “I wasn’t looking for extra players but she [Coen] came with a great attitude, a lefty which I knew could add to the offense, and got along with all the girls on the team. She had become a contributing member of the attack and midfield.” Additionally, Roussey emphasized how proud and happy he felt for Coen after finding the best school for her.
During her time with Roussey Coen stated, “I could tell the coaches cared about my future career and they did everything they could to help me get where I wanted to go. I have lots of gratitude to my Coach Jay who really helped me through the process.”
Senior teammate Erin Hazard, who also plays for BBL said, “Maddy is such an amazing player to be on a team with. She is such a competitive player and that contributes to how hard she works on and off the field. She fights hard for every 50/50 ball and uses her competitiveness to fight to win draw controls as well.”
Kathryn Dasilva, head coach of the WHS girls lacrosse team, also expressed her happiness in Coen’s decision, stating how it is “rewarding to see her confidence grow.”
Coen spoke about her previous season and the accomplishments she made after getting pulled up from JV. “I worked really hard and put so much time in lacrosse so that I could be pulled up and take the draw. It showed me that I was getting rewarded for all my hard work.”
The College of New Jersey is a public university in Ewing Township, NJ, that is ranked first in the top public universities in the north, according to usnews.com.
Cohen stated, “There were definitely other schools in the mix that had given me offers but TCNJ really stood out to me. After going to many different visits, the girls there made me feel so welcomed and the coaches seemed so invested in the players. TCNJ really made an effort to show they wanted me and the girls made me feel like it was already a home.”
When talking about Coen’s upcoming season she said, “I look forward to being with the team again. I feel we keep getting better and better each season so I am excited.”
