By John Johnson, Boston Globe South
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Although she did not walk with the rest of her classmates on graduation day, Lauren Geary is leaving quite a legacy at Bridgewater State.
Commencement ceremonies were last Saturday in Bridgewater. At the same time, Geary and her teammates on the women's lacrosse team were in Lewiston, Maine, taking on Springfield College in the first round of the NCAA Division 3 tournament.
Geary, a senior midfielder and co-captain from Hull, tallied a pair of goals, but the Bears (12-6) were eliminated with an 8-7 loss.
Her final season was one to remember. On her way to earning MASCAC Player of the Year honors, she scored a team-leading 58 goals, contributed 21 assists, and became the career leader in Division 3 for draw controls (605).
In 75 career games, Geary amassed 226 goals and 70 assists, with 305 ground balls and 140 caused turnovers. She departs as the program's career leader in both draws and ground balls, third in goals, seventh in points, and 10th in assists.
At Hull High, she led the girls' basketball team to the Division 4 state title in 2011.
Q. How would you sum up the season?
A. I couldn't have asked for a better last season. We won our conference and made it to NCAAs. Although we lost in the first round I know everyone played their hearts out and that made me proud.
Q. But you missed graduation to play in the NCAA Tournament.
A. I wouldn't wish to have it any other way. We knew at the beginning of the year that it would be the same day as the NCAA tourney if we made it. So we were prepared. I'm hoping they mail us our diplomas.
Q. Is it strange to have your athletic career over and not have to wake up for practice?
A. Yes, it already feels strange. I'm sure eventually I'll fill my time with something else and find new hobbies. I would definitely consider coaching. And I plan on engaging in Spartan races and triathlons.
Q. You leave BSU in the top 5 on many career lists. What will that mean to you down the road when you look back and reflect?
A. The numbers in the book are not something that I will remember. It's the team and the traditions we had and made over the past four years that I will remember for a lifetime.
Q. What about owning a national record for draw controls? How proud are you of this achievement?
A. I am proud to be able to represent Bridgewater State at the national level. The school has given so much to me, but I could not have done it without the teammates I had over the past four years. I don't think it has really hit me yet. It happened, and then we had the playoff games, so I didn't really think about it.
Q. What are your plans for after college?
A. I plan on going to dental school. I'd like to attend Tufts, because it is where my brother Rob is. He is in his second year of dental school.
Q. How difficult was it to choose lacrosse over basketball?
A. It was a hard decision but I went with my greater passion, which was lacrosse.
Q. What is your favorite TV show and why?
A. Definitely Friday Night Lights, it was sports orientated and had many plots.