Senior girls varsity lacrosse goalie Kaylyn Kirrane hears the girls’ shouts and the ball’s rush as it flies toward her, and she makes a beautiful save. Just another routine play for the college commit.
Kirrane has played lacrosse with her dad since she was young. She was recruited for her work ethic and talent at Denison University, where she will play Division III lacrosse in college.
Despite her individual talent, her team-play is what makes her great. Being a goalie allows her to direct her team, telling them where the openings in the opponent’s defense are and spotting her team’s weaknesses.
“I loved being in charge of my own team,” Kirrane said. “It’s really fun to be the only goalie on the field.”
Senior and longtime teammate Abby Cooney said Kirrane has many qualities that make her a leader on the field.
“She is confident and she has a strong voice,” Cooney said. “She’s able to direct people. She perseveres through hard days and tough times,” Cooney said. “She just keeps playing and improving, no matter the circumstances.”
Over Kirrane’s years playing for the girls varsity lacrosse team, her coach Julianna Mulloy said she’s made more saves in a single season than any other goalie in girls varsity lacrosse history. Honorable mention is one of the end-of-season awards an athlete part of the Bay State Conference can win and she’s won it twice.
Mulloy has coached for three years and said that it’s Kirrane’s drive and determination that makes her so talented.
“Kaylyn leads with her knowledge and passion for lacrosse,” Mulloy said. “She has an intensity on the field that makes her a fierce competitor and she has an undeniable presence on the field.”
It’s those same traits that make her a great leader off the field as well.
“She planned the preseason practices and manages team spirit,” Cooney said. “She leads the defense and the whole team.”
Everything that makes her great on the field also extends to her academic aspirations. She draws, paints and aspires to be a neurosurgeon.
“I love anatomy and anything related to the field of medicine,” Kirrane said. “I also started a blood drive at the high school.”
Mulloy looks forward to seeing how far Kirrane will go, on and off the field.
“I am excited to watch her continue to succeed in her collegiate career,” Mulloy said. “I am sure she will only continue to improve and be recognized for her abilities.”
