In the Game: Her Team On a String

by Grace McCrocklin '16 

Moira Mahoney ’16, co-captain and four-year starter for women’s lacrosse, likes to think of her team “on a string,” she says. “If I have the ball, the midfielders should be moving to the right positions.” She goes on to describe her vision for how the team stays steps ahead of its opponents. Mahoney, or “Mo” if you know her well, is a defender and helps lead her team from arguably the most important position on the field.

“I love playing defense,” she says. “There’s nothing better than stopping someone from scoring, just completely stuffing them. I love it.” Mahoney adds that the program’s strategy focuses on a team-centered defense—it doesn’t work unless everyone involved is doing her part.

As for Mahoney, she’s done hers. She boasts numerous team records, landing in the program’s top 10 for game, career and season draw controls, as well as most caused turnovers in a game. Last season, she started all 15 games and led the Centennial Conference (CC) in 28 caused turnovers. Mahoney has made two appearances as a first-team All-CC defender, and she was named to the 2015 Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association All-Metro Region First Team.

“She’s the hardest working player every practice,” says Kim Lowry, head coach. “On the field, she is just a total workhorse. She’s relentless.”

All of which may be the reason she’s been co-captain since her sophomore season. The team elects three captains each season through an aggregated voting system, and Mahoney, along with Caroline Clancy ’16, has been chosen for the last three seasons. “She has just set a precedent for what true leadership looks like,” says Lowry.

Mahoney’s leadership extends off the field, as well. When she isn’t wearing cleats, she is president of the D-Tones, one of Dickinson’s three co-ed a cappella groups. “I do the planning and the organization, but I’m definitely not that musical. I just like to sing,” she says, laughing. Add in research the English major is conducting for her capstone thesis on the role of sexism in the television series American Horror Story, and this senior has a full plate. And that’s just how she likes it: “It’s really nice having separate things to do. It keeps my life balanced.”

Learn more

• Spring 2016 Dickinson Magazine
• Department of English
• Women's Lacrosse
• Athletics and Fitness
• Latest News

Published April 25, 2016