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Preparing to play during a pandemic: Leahy trying to stay ready to hit the court

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Sean Leahy guards his man. / Courtesy photo

Sean Leahy is staying ready to hit the court in the midst of a pandemic.

Sean Leahy has no idea if he’ll get to take the court this year.

Leahy, who hails from Hanson, is a junior on the UMass Dartmouth men’s basketball team. The Corsairs’ season, which was scheduled to begin in November, has already been pushed to Jan. 16. But that’s not definite, as the Little East Conference is set to make a final decision on a winter campaign by Dec. 15, leaving Leahy and the rest of his team in limbo. 

“You don’t know how much work you want to put in if it’s not going to happen, but I mean you still prepare just in case,” Leahy said. 

Most of that preparation is done on his own time via an app with the team only conducting meetings virtually.

“Every three days, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we have like a 45-minute workout,” Leahy explained. “It’s all weights and we have running stuff that we have to do.” 

As for on-the court drills, those are far and few between. Leahy estimates he’s picked up a basketball only about 10 times since school began in September. 

“During the summer, I played two or three times a week with friends in town,” Leahy said. “Now, no gyms are really open and high schools won’t let you in.” 

Leahy, a 6-foot-5 forward, is coming off a productive sophomore season, starting 26 games, scoring 8.1 points per game and corralling 6.6 rebounds per game. But with all this time off, he knows he’ll have to knock off some rust when he returns to the hardwood.

“You kind of lose that touch if you don’t play for that long, so I think jumping back into it is going to be tough without playing for six or seven months, like real pickup,” he said. 

The Corsairs finished last season with a 16-11 record, falling to Western Connecticut State University in the Little East championship game. Leahy said this winter, they’re expecting to be the last team standing. 

“We definitely want to win the conference championship, that’s a big one this year,” he said. “We kind of felt like it was our year. I think it was definitely our year, or is gonna be our year. We just gotta stay ready.

Welcome to the club: Josh Rice joins his dad in Eastern Nazarene’s 1,000-point club

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Josh Rice (left) and his father Jon after the game. / Courtesy photo

Josh and Jon Rice become the first father-son duo in Eastern Nazarene College history to both score 1,000 points.

There was already plenty to celebrate.

Friday, Nov. 22 was both Jon Rice and his wife Nancy’s birthday. Their son Josh gave them a memorable present — at the place they first met.

Josh, a senior swingman on Eastern Nazarene’s men’s basketball team and 2016 Whitman-Hanson Regional High graduate, entered his game that night against Worcester Polytechnic Institute on the verge of school history. He needed 14 points to join his dad in the college’s 1,000-point club — and to become the first father-son duo in program history to do it.

After hitting four quick 3-pointers, Josh was just two points away. Then, with 5:17 left in the first half, he got a screen, a pass from his teammate Noah Cheney, spotted up from the top of the key and connected on another one from beyond the arc. This one, pushed him over the 1,000-point mark.

“I definitely don’t think I could have asked for a better present,” said his father Jon, who ranks 18th all-time on Eastern Nazarene men’s basketball’s scoring list with 1,226 points that he scored from 1986-90. “And to do it at my alma mater — I’m so proud of Josh.”

Said Josh: “I’m definitely proud of it, especially since it’s the same school that my dad went to. He’s a big reason I went here. It‘s nice for us to have and be able to share that forever together. It was a great feeling — especially for him to be there.”

And it was appropriate for Josh, a Hanson native, to reach the milestone with a 3-pointer. He’s connected on 199 of them so far during his college career.

Josh said his father molded him into the shooter he is today.

“He didn’t let me shoot threes until I was in high school,” Josh said. “He taught me how to shoot, the form, everything.”

Jon coached his son in town and AAU basketball from fourth grade until his sophomore year of high school. Josh credits his father for helping foster him with a love for the game.

“My dad loves sports, especially basketball,” Josh said. “His history at ENC and his passion and his love and knowledge of the game really grew that passion in me.”

It began when Josh was in elementary school and his father Jon was the head boys’ basketball coach at Hingham High.

“I would bring him with me to practices and games,” the elder Rice said. “There was one time, I remember coaching a game in Weymouth and we had just enough seats for everybody on the team and the last seat was for the water cooler. Josh was in second or third grade at the time. There was one of those big, heavy water coolers, and he was like, ‘Well, dad said I could sit on the bench this game, so I’m just going to move this water cooler.’

“So, he attempts to move the water cooler and it falls over and it floods the court, so that was certainly an everlasting memory.”

Jon eventually gave up his spot on the Hingham bench so he could coach his son.

“It was one of the toughest decisions I had to make,” Jon said. “It was hard, but I don’t regret a second of it. I cherish the memories I have coaching Josh and my other two boys, as well.”

But the memories that stick out to Josh occurred in the driveway, where he and his younger brother Tyler, a former starter on the W-H basketball team, who graduated in 2018, played against their youngest brother Ben, who is a senior on the Panthers now, and their father.

“I just remember how intense those games would be going down the stretch, being like 20-20 and the first to 21 wins,” Josh recalled. “Losing to my brother and my dad motivated me to work even harder.”

It’s what happened after the game when no one was watching that defines Josh’s work ethic.

“The next day, I’d be out working on the shot I missed in those games,” Josh said. “Those games were so valuable growing up. We all wanted to win so badly.”

Josh entered this season just 40 points away from the 1,000-point mark. His offseason was rigorous, but typical. 

“I would work out wherever I could,” Josh explained. “When Whitman-Hanson was open, I’d get in there when I could, I’d drive up some nights to ENC. I also work at the YMCA in Hanover, as a camp counselor, so I’d go early and get a workout in, and then after my shift was up I’d get shots up.”

His drive, determination, and prowess on the court are a few aspects of Josh that stick out to ENC head men’s basketball coach Scott Polsgrove. They explain why he’s a captain for the Lions.

“He’s a great leader for us,” Polsgrove said. “His teammates all know that he cares about them, and he’s a fun, loving, player who has an infectious attitude and energy about him that draws people to him. We rely on him heavily.”

While Josh finishes his ENC career, he’ll forever have a memory in the college both he and his father called home.

“I’ll be able to take my kids to an ENC game one day and say, ‘That’s your grandfather and that’s me,’” Josh said.

Big goals for Sam Smith at Boston College

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Sam Smith controls the ball against Northeastern. / Courtesy photo

Sam Smith led the Boston College women’s soccer team in goals as a freshman.

Shortly after Boston College named Jason Lowe its next women’s soccer head coach in January, he took a trip to the South Shore to watch some of the program’s incoming players.

Sam Smith, a reigning All-American at Whitman-Hanson Regional High, was one of them.

“You could tell she was a pretty technical player, but mostly off the field, I would say one of the biggest personalities in the freshman group, so we kind of clicked right away,” Lowe said. “Really great kid and really into soccer and could tell we were going to get along really well.”

The Hanson native arrived on campus a few months later.

“She came right in and just from our initial fitness test, she’s probably one of our fittest players on the team — definitely one of our fittest freshmen, so she definitely made a good first impression in the early days of preseason,” Lowe said.

And a strong preseason helped the freshman earn a starting role on the Eagles. After netting the winning goal in the Eagles’ opener against UMass, Smith did the same in the second game as well. By BC’s fifth contest of the season, she had four goals, three of which were game-winners.

“She didn’t overthink it too much,” Lowe said. “She got the ball and was playing with her first touch, and then she just drove into the 18 and got good shots off and did a really good job keeping the ball alive and just sort of staying in the moment.”

That was just a part of her success.

“I’d do film with her, and she actually is really good at breaking down her game and watching film,” Lowe said. “When we come in to watch it, she has already watched it and broke it down herself and had her own opinions.

“Every Monday, on our free day, she is out with the other freshmen working on their game. A combination of both of those helped her get off to a good start and helped her stay in our starting lineup.”

Smith entered Atlantic Coast Conference play with five goals. Lowe said her non-conference success wasn’t a surprise to him, but he wanted to see if she could perform against ACC competition. She did.

Smith netted two goals against Florida State in the conference opener and another against Miami (FL) the following game.

“That surprised me when she was able to do it against some of the top 10 teams in the country,” he said. “Her header against Florida State was probably one of the most perfect goals we scored all year.”

But that’s where the goal scoring would end for Smith because, with each goal, she started to become even more of a focal point of the opposing team’s defense — to the point where teams double-teamed her.

“There’s no secrets in our conference,” Lowe said. “They watched the film and figured out. She is certainly no secret.”

But despite not scoring again, she still led the team with eight goals this season.

“It was definitely frustrating to hear the other team always say, ‘Double team No. 9,’” Smith said. “It can get to you. See, I don’t think eight goals is a lot, I want to score more.”

Additionally, Smith earned a spot on the ACC All-Freshman team and was tabbed to the 2019 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women’s All-Atlantic Region third team.

For as big as the goals Smith has garnered at BC were, bigger ones await.

“The sky’s the limit for her,” Lowe said. “I was talking with the U-20 [U.S. women’s national team] coach, and I think she is definitely on their radar in a really good pool of forwards and attackers.”

“That’s always been my goal,” Smith said.

Curry’s Villanueva develops new appreciation for football: ‘I missed it more than anything.’

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Nick Villanueva. / Courtesy photo: SportsPix

Nick Villanueva is an “all-around” leader for the Colonels.

As he sat in his dorm room at the University of Rhode Island in the fall of 2015, Nick Villanueva couldn’t help but think about one thing — football.

For the first time since third grade, there were no shoulder pads to put on, cleats to tie or playbook to study. He was out of the game. 

“I missed it more than anything,” Villanueva, a Hanson resident said. “At that time, all I could really do was follow the Patriots. I was watching football every day.”

Villanueva opted to attend URI in order to pursue a degree in engineering despite being recruited by colleges to play football, after hauling in 31 passes for 538 yards and two touchdowns in his senior season at Whitman-Hanson Regional High in 2014. He quickly realized URI wasn’t the place for him.

“I started missing the game and everybody because I saw the football team there playing and everyone preparing for the season,” Villanueva said. “It was the first time I hadn’t had to go through camp and everything.”

It wasn’t completely lost time for Villanueva, though. He pushed himself to the limit in the weight room, with a mission of getting back into the game the following year. After transferring to Curry College, he was one step closer.

“I had a coach who coached at W-H and coached at Curry, coach [Steve] Scott, and he told me a lot about Curry and the program and I should give it a shot,” Villanueva said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ve been waiting,’ and I kind of made my decision really quick.”

His next step was to pick up the phone and call Curry head coach Skip Bandini.

“I told him who I was and that I was interested in playing football,” Villanueva said. “I had to almost ask to play.”

Bandini let Villanueva come to camp. He caught the coach’s attention right away.

“I saw a kid that was very well mannered,” Bandini said. “He’s very articulate. Coach Scott said that this is a kid that we want on our team and coach Scott was right.”

Since making the team, Villanueva has blossomed into Curry’s go-to offensive weapon at wide receiver, earning Second-Team All-Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Football Offensive selection in 2017 and Second-Team All-CCC honors last season. But his biggest achievement came heading into this season: being voted as team captain.

“It’s a great honor,” Villanueva said. “To have my teammates think of me as a leader for them makes me feel incredible. I just want to be a member of the team and not only lead by example but make sure everyone’s on the same page.”

Bandini called Villanueva an “all-around leader.”

“Any company would love to hire this kid,” he said. “We have players speak in front of recruits all the time and their parents. He gets up there and is very articulate, passionate about what he talks about, clear and concise and he certainly delivers a great message, so I think that makes him stand out above the other people.”

Last season, Villanueva ranked in the top five in the conference in receptions (50, third), receptions per game (5.0, second), receiving yards (655, fourth), receiving yards per game (6.5, third) and yards per reception (13.1, third).

“The system is great and practicing every day and just being part of the system kind of made it happen,” Villanueva said. “My teammates make me that much better, I just happened to be the one in the right place at the right time.”

Villanueva said he has a new appreciation for the game of football now, after going a year without it.

“Coming to Curry changed my whole life,” Villanueva said. “It was probably the greatest decision I’ve ever made. Whether I have anything going on in my personal life or school, once I step foot between those sidelines and get on the field, all that goes out the window and it’s a whole new life. I loved the game my whole life but having that time off made me realize it’s not always going to be there for me so I have to take advantage of it while I have it.”

‘Thank God I didn’t quit’: Adversity drives Newman’s cross country career to Bentley

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Abbie Newman. / Courtesy photo from SportsPix

Hanson resident Abbie Newman is a junior co-captain on Bentley University’s cross country team.

Abbie Newman remembers her freshman year at Whitman-Hanson Regional High well. But the first few weeks, predominantly, come to mind.

“I got into cross country because my mom ran,” said Newman, who hails from Hanson. “I was just like, ‘Whatever, I’ll try it.’ But I got through the first couple of weeks of practices and was like, ‘This is horrible.’”

After that, she was ready to quit.

“It was so much work and I didn’t think I could do it,” Newman said. “It was a lot.”

But those feelings were altered over time because of her supporting cast.

“Coach Keith Erwin (former Whitman-Hanson cross country coach) and my teammates kept me going,” Newman said. “They just kept pushing me.”

And Newman said she’s thankful they did keep her running. If they didn’t, she wouldn’t have been elected as a junior captain this fall for Bentley University women’s cross country team.

“Being voted as a captain is probably my greatest accomplishment,” Newman said. “It gives me a lot of confidence.”

Newman admits her results weren’t what she wanted them to be last season, as she battled through some dietary issues, but her work ethic and upbeat attitude at practice never wavered, according to her coach.

“She leads by example,” said Bentley women’s cross country head coach Kevin Curtin. “Just week in and week out she does the work, and takes care of things academically. She shows up to practice and does what she’s supposed to do and she just consistently goes out and does it.”

Being a captain has many different responsibilities.

“We lead the practices, all the stretches and running with them and making them feel comfortable with our training,” Newman said. “They also come to us with a lot of questions based on academics.”

Curtin said Newman raises the bar for the newcomers.

“The freshmen look to her and see her and know what they should be striving for,” said the coach.

Newman is still a key contributor on the course. In the Bentley’s latest race, the Capital Cross Challenge out in Sacramento, California, held on Sept. 28, Newman was the third Falcon to cross the finish line with a time of 24:28.3.

“I’m really looking to stay healthy and be a contributing member of the team and be at least top four or top five,” she said.

Now, six years later, when Newman reflects on those first few weeks of her freshman year of high school, she does it with a chuckle.

“I just think it’s funny now and looking back realizing that thank God I didn’t quit,” Newman said.

A workman-like mentality: Whitman’s Kelly ready for sophomore season on Bridgewater State University football

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After an offseason of hard work, Jack Kelly is ready for his sophomore season on the gridiron at Bridgewater State University.

For Whitman’s Jack Kelly, there’s only one word to describe his offseason — intense.

With a few aspirations in mind entering his sophomore campaign on the Bridgewater State University football team, it’s been a nonstop grind since walking off the field last fall. 

“My goal for myself, personally as a player, is to be on the field contributing to help my team win,” Kelly said. “My goal for our team, as a unit, would definitely be to win the MASCAC (Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference) and advance to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) [Playoff]. Both goals can be achieved through hard work and dedication.”

And Kelly’s put in the hard work.

“I was working out basically every day,” he explained. “I was lifting six times a week, running three times a week and I also worked out at South Shore Boxing Club three to four times a week to help with my conditioning and hand speed. I wanted to make sure that I got as strong as I have ever been and got into the best shape I have ever been in.”

Bridgewater State football head coach Joe Verria, who also serves as the defense coordinator, noticed Kelly’s commitment. 

“Jack has definitely gotten bigger and faster since last year,” Verria said. “Unfortunately, Jack got hurt in camp and has missed a week of camp. I look forward to him returning.”

This offseason was about more than just growing physically, though. The Whitman-Hanson Regional High alum returned to his old stomping grounds to coach the Panthers’ passing league team to a title this summer. Kelly said it helped him grow as a player.

“Coach [Mike] Driscoll has known that I wanted to get into coaching and saw this as the perfect opportunity to get my feet wet,” Kelly said. “It was my first time being able to call plays for a team and I felt comfortable from the beginning and really enjoyed it. I was able to get a better understanding of the game in general. I was able to dissect offensive and defensive play calls and responsibilities.”

Kelly said the biggest difference going into his second campaign has been the heightened expectations. Last season, he came into camp as a linebacker before switching to defensive end. So, now with a whole fall under his belt to observe the guys in front of him, he’s ready to step in.

“[Watching them] has prepared me to help contribute on the field this year,” Kelly said. “This year, after having a successful offseason, which got me bigger faster and stronger, I am now a returner and expecting to be able to make plays I couldn’t have made before.”

Bridgewater State opens its season at home on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 12 p.m. against Morrisville State.

“I want to be able to say that I worked as hard as possible to improve my game and that I played every single down this year like it is my last,” Kelly said.

Hanson’s Sweeney ready to tackle freshman campaign for Springfield College football team

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Whitman-Hanson Regional High alum Quinn Sweeney is a freshman on the Springfield College football team.

Growing up, Quinn Sweeney’s father Keith always had a simple message for him when it came to the college selection process.

“He just said to pick the school that was the right fit for me,” said Quinn, who hails from Hanson.

So, that’s what he did, and his choice just happened to be Springfield College, where his father achieved all-star status as a defensive back. He’d also get the opportunity to play football there, but education was a bigger factor in Quinn’s decision.

“Toward the end of my sophomore year, I decided I wanted to become a physical education teacher,” Quinn said. “We researched a bunch of schools and Springfield and Bridgewater [State University] were my top choices. I felt most comfortable at Springfield. Following in his footsteps is like icing on the cake.”

His offseason was busy.

“[I] lifted three times a week and did conditioning three times a week,” Quinn said. “The strength and conditioning staff is really big on recovery and giving your body time to recover from workouts. I was lucky to get to play in the Shriners [Football Classic] game in June, so that was kind of like a mini camp to get back into the football mode.”

Whitman-Hanson Regional High football coach Mike Driscoll often lauded Quinn, who was a Patriot League All-Star last fall as a senior, during his playing days for the Panthers, coining him the “energy guy” and an essential part of the “heart and soul” of the line at either his end position on defense or post at tackle on offense.

“He loves football,” Driscoll said of Quinn last August. “He’s just the type of kid who can get off the ball and he’s worked on a lot of his quickness.”

Now, as Quinn readies to kick off his freshman campaign on the Pride, he’s is taking it one practice at a time.

“Preseason camp goes until Sept. 4,” he said. “I’m just trying to get better every day and put together a string of good practices. If I do that, everything will take care of itself.”

Springfield begins the season Saturday, Sept. 7 on the road against Western New England at 1 p.m.

“I have been given an amazing opportunity and I want to take advantage of everything the school has to offer,” Quinn said. “Football-wise, I’d love to be part of the team — brotherhood is what we call it here. Just do my part to help our team have success.”

Catching up with … W-H alum Samantha Coletti

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Samantha Coletti leads the pack. / Courtesy photo

Coletti outlines what a normal day for her is like and more.

Time’s flying for Samantha Coletti at Army West Point.

The Express chatted with Coletti, a three-season runner for the Black Knights, about her experiences thus far and to find out where she hopes to end up.

Q: How would you describe your college experience in general thus far?

A: “It was challenging from the start and it continues to challenge me daily. I am just now learning how to deal with it better.” 

 

Q: For those who don’t know, what makes West Point unique?

A: “Traditions. There are so many traditions that are so unique and special to anyone who graduates the Academy. The comradery of the Corps is also a very unique thing. Everyone here is so willing to help each other out through the struggles.”

 

Q: Why West Point? What made this the right fit for you?

A: “I chose West Point because I wanted to be challenged mentally and physically. More importantly I wanted to serve and become a better leader that people want to follow.”

Q: What’s a normal day like for you?

A: “Normally, I wake up at 5 a.m. and go to a morning track practice (lifting), then we have formation at 6:50, followed by classes beginning at 7:30 and ending at 3:15 (lunch formation at 11:50). From there, I go straight to practice and train. After practice I would usually go straight to dinner and back to my room to do my homework. Of course some days include other activities and plans, but this is an outline of a typical day at West Point.”

 

Q: How do you balance being an athlete and student?

A: “I have to stay focused and get on a daily schedule. Usually I plan out my entire day by the hour to make sure I can get everything done.”

 

Q: What’s been the best advice you’ve received about being a student-athlete and who did it come from?

A: “My coach always tells us to focus on what you’re doing at the moment. When you’re at track practice, you’re not thinking about school and when you’re at school do your best to focus on what needs to get done.”

Q: What’s been your greatest accomplishment as an athlete so far? When did it come?

A: “My greatest accomplishment so far as an athlete was breaking the star meet (Army vs Navy) record last outdoor season at Navy in the 1000.”

 

Q: What’s been your greatest accomplishment off the field so far? When did it come?

A: “My greatest accomplishment off the track so far has been affirming in August of last year. I have committed myself to five years active duty after graduation and three more in the reserves.”

 

Q: What are your goals the rest of the way?

A: “My goals are to ultimately meet the world class athlete standards before graduation so I could be a part of the world class athlete program and run for the Army after graduation. My other main goals are to stay focused, continue running without injury, and to graduate and lead soldiers.”

Leahy heads into break on high note for UMass Dartmouth

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Sean Leahy. / Courtesy photo

Former W-H basketball standout Sean Leahy is starting to find his rhythm for UMass Dartmouth.

Sean Leahy couldn’t have scripted a better way to head into the winter break.

In UMass Dartmouth men’s basketball’s final game of the semester, the 6-foot-5, 180-pound freshman forward from Hanson got his second start and erupted for a career-high 17 points in a 90-75 victory over Tufts on Dec. 10.

“He shot the ball well from the perimeter,” UMass Dartmouth head coach Brian Baptiste said.

Leahy connected on five of seven field goals, which included an 80-percent showing (four of five) from beyond the arc. The outing earned him Little East Conference Rookie of the Week honors in men’s basketball.

“It definitely feels good,” Leahy said. “That was a big win as a team and a big win over Tufts, so as a team it felt great and hopefully it will give us some momentum in the second half of the season.”

It’s been a work in progress this winter for Leahy, who’s battling back from two broken wrists. In the Corsairs’ first six games, Leahy averaged just 13 minutes per game, but over their last four outings he’s averaged 31.5 minutes per contest, including back-to-back starts.

“He’s been slowly coming along because of his injuries, and when he comes into the game he’s increased his minutes as the season’s gone on,” Baptiste explained. “He’s just playing better and better as the season moves forward.”

Leahy, a nursing major and the 2017-18 Patriot League Keenan Division MVP, said the adjustment to the college game has been a battle, for sure.

“Everyone up here is a little bit quicker, a little bit stronger, but definitely I now have to think about how I play defense, how you slide,” Leahy said. “It doesn’t come as easy as in high school.”

However, he’s using a few lessons learned at the high school level in his adjustment.

“I would definitely say paying attention to the little details and how you approach drills and how you play,” said Leahy of the lessons learned in high school he’s carried over into the collegiate rank. “And then probably how you play the game and not cutting corners.”

Baptiste said Leahy’s top asset is his understanding of the game.

“He makes smart decisions,” Baptiste said. “He’s added a great deal to the team. He’s got a lot of versatility. He’s a big man, he can shoot from the perimeter, he can handle the ball like a guard, he passes well, he rebounds well, he’s got a big upside.”

Leahy said he’s going to spend a majority of his break in the gym before the 7-4 Corsairs resume play Jan. 3 against Becker.

“I’m looking to get a little stronger so I can hang in the paint with those bigger guys, but that’ll take time,” he said.

Baptiste said he’s looking forward to what the next three and a half years will bring for Leahy.

“I expect him to be an outstanding player for us,” said the coach.

On hanging tough: Comendul goes from stopping goals to scoring one for UMass women’s soccer

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Ari Comendul. / Photo by: Doug Keller

Ari Comendul convereted to a midfielder for her senior season.

All Ari Comendul could do was watch.

After her first three seasons on the UMass women’s soccer team, she received zero playing time.

“I had a lot of trouble breaking through that starting [goalkeeper] position,” said Comendul, who hails from Whitman.

The constant commitment to practice, with no results to show for it, began to take a toll on her.

“Everyone thinks of quitting at one point,” said Comendul, who began playing soccer at age 5. “It was hard. It was a grind every day, and no matter how much money you’re on, you really question if it’s worth it.”

Not playing was uncharted territory for Comendul, who, as a senior and the starting goalkeeper, helped lead the Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ soccer team to the Div. 1 state finals in 2014. But a position change was anything but new to her. She didn’t step into goal until the middle of her junior season in high school, when she converted from forward.

“I honestly think we were at halftime, and I think our goalkeeper got hurt and our coach was like, ‘Who wants to go in net?’” recalled Comendul. “And for some reason my hand just shot up, and then I went in and I did well.”

So, with experience as a goalkeeper and forward stemming from high school, Comendul made the switch to midfielder this past spring in advance of her senior season at UMass. First-year Minutewomen head coach Jason Dowiak was the one who suggested the move.

“Having three goalkeepers, it’s tough to share the minutes,” Dowiak said. “I knew Ari had a little bit of experience playing the field and we just talked about it really. Weasked her if she was interested in the idea and she was more than interested, she was excited about it.”

After playing half the game in the field at first, she received significant minutes in UMass’ final spring bout against Holy Cross.

“We were just really light on numbers, and she ended up playing really well,” Dowiak said. “She was really productive and grasped a lot of the concepts we had been talking about.”

Dowiak said Comedul’s position change shone a light on two of her best attributes: unselfishness and leadership.

“She’s willing to kind of play whatever rolethe team needed,” he said. “I think she set a great tone for the mentality of the ‘Do what’s best for the team.’” Comendul didn’t just make the switch, but she was pretty effective as a field player as well. The biochemistry and molecular biology major played 278 minutes and had a goal and an assist on the season for UMass, which finished 11-6-1, surpassing the 10-win mark for the first time since 2011.

“It’s just a cool story,” Dowiak said. “You never hear about a goalkeeper changing positions and then becoming really impactful on the field. As a wing player, she made herself dangerous and she made players around her dangerous. She had a really good eye for the final pass. I’d say we missed some really good opportunities that she created.”

The goal came in the fifth game of the season Sept. 7 in an 8-0 victory over Chicago State. “It was funny,” Comendul said. “It was just awesome.”

Comendul said at times she felt like a freshman during the transition.

“My positioning was off a lot of the time, and it kind of just hit me one day that, ‘I need to stop trying to become a midfielder and just start being one and adopting the mentality of the position,’” she said.

Dowiak said it was Comendul’s intelligence, both on and off the field, that allowed her to succeed in the switch.

“She’s an incredibly gifted student,” Dowiak said. “She was able to process tactical information and ideas, as well if not better than most.”

When all was said and done, Comendul said she’s forever thankful she continued stick it out through the difficult times.

“I’m so happy I never quit,” she said. “I held that version to the past version of myself that I would stick it out and I did. I’m really grateful I ended on a high note.”