By John Johnson, Boston Globe South
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Victoria McDonough is proving to be one of the most dynamic first-year players in women’s lacrosse in the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference. A month into the season, the freshman from Marshfield High School has been named conference Rookie of the Week three times.
Most recently, McDonough earned both Rookie and Player of the Week after scoring six goals and nine assists for 15 points in a 2-1 week for Bridgewater State University. The 5-foot-9 attacker also added six draw controls, five ground balls, and a pair of caused turnovers.
In 11 games, including four starting assignments, McDonough has 18 goals and a team-high 24 assists.
After being held scoreless in her first college game, McDonough broke out in major fashion by scoring a goal and dishing out seven assists in a 23-5 win over Alfred during the Bears’ Florida trip. She has five multiple goal games for the Bears (6-6) and has three games with four or more assists.
A communications disorder major, McDonough would like to be a speech and language pathologist.
As a senior captain, she led Marshfield to the school’s first-ever Atlantic Coast League title.
She also played soccer and hockey for the Rams.
Q. How has the transition been to college lacrosse? What is the biggest difference?
A. The biggest thing I noticed is that the defenders play a lot more physically than in high school. I have had to work a little harder at being more aggressive in order to compensate. Also, the pace of the game has sped up a lot since high school and it took me a couple games to get used to.
Q. You’re off to a fast start. What do you attribute that to?
A. I believe my team, and especially the mojo I have with the offensive players, has helped me get off to a strong start. They are able to catch and shoot quickly in small spaces, which helped me to feel comfortable feeding the ball into tight spots. Without their skills, I wouldn’t be getting most of my points.
Q. What is the team goal?
A. Our goal is to hopefully go undefeated in the league, and our offensive goal as a unit is to be the highest scoring offense in the MASCAC.
Q. What is the biggest asset you bring to the team on the field?
A. The strongest skill would be my feeding. I am able to feed the ball to my team in hopes to give them a good shooting opportunity.
Q. Do you take more pride in scoring a goal or setting up a scoring opportunity?
A. I prefer to be in on an assist when I can, but obviously I’m not going to give up a shooting opportunity. So I’d say it’s a little more slanted toward the assists side. It’s a really proud feeling when I can feed the ball into a tight space and help a teammate score.
Q. Favorite movie or book and why?
A. My favorite movie would probably be Jaws. My dad (Kevin) and I have always loved that movie and watched it a lot.
Q. Any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
A. I guess a possible “superstition” that I have is braiding my hair the same way every game. Shout-out to Reile Plante for doing the braids!!
Q. Do you have a mentor in life or role model?
A. My biggest role mode is my mother (Lisa). She has always taught us to give 100 percent and that’s what she does every day. I have a brother and two sisters and we all played sports as kids. She never missed a game or a practice for any of us. She is amazing!
Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would that be?
A. If I could go anywhere in the world it would definitely be Bora Bora. Ever since I was young I saw pictures of how pretty Bora Bora is and it has been on my bucket list ever since.
Q. Favorite meal and why?
A. Whenever I go out to dinner, I will most likely always get Chicken Parmesan. I just love it.