BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Freshman attack Victoria McDonough has made an immediate impact on the Bridgewater State University lacrosse team this spring.
The Marshfield resident leads the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference with 31 assists, is second in points with 56 and tied for 12th with 25 goals.
McDonough, who graduated from Marshfield High School last year, transferred to BSU in January after spending the first semester elsewhere.
"We didn't have too much as far as expectations for her because we just didn't know much about her,″ said Bears coach Erica Adams. "But she impressed me right from the get-go.
"You could tell that she understands the game and has played long enough to have the experience.″
McDonough joined former Marshfield teammate Elizabeth Ettridge, a sophomore who has 36 goals, on the BSU roster.
The MASCAC has named McDonough its rookie of the week four times, and she has been the player of the week the past two weeks.
McDonough scored seven goals to go with three assists in Saturday's 19-12 road win over Worcester State.
Adams said that whatever the situation calls for, McDonough will take on the necessary role to help the Bears.
"She is very selfless,″ said Adams, whose team is 8-6, 4-0 in the MASCAC after beating Mass. Maritime Academy on Tuesday night. "I don't think she even realizes how much and how often she contributes.
"Just on Saturday, she scored seven goals, and in the middle of the game, someone said, 'Victoria, you're on a great run' and she said, 'I think I only have two goals.'
"She doesn't really pay much attention to it. I can appreciate that as a coach because she's very humble. She just ultimately wants the team to win and whatever she can do to contribute, whether that's scoring goals or getting assists, she is more than willing to fill whatever role is necessary in that game."
After joining the BSU program in January, McDonough figures to keep getting better with three years to go after this season.
"I know she has great potential,″ said Adams. "Being a freshman, I can see where she can potentially be in four years and I hope she'll continue to strive to be better each year.
"I'm happy that she's having a great season, but I also know there's so much more potential for us.″