By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Lauren Geary Murphy was a newcomer to Bridgewater State University in the fall of 2012, unsure about any athletic plans in college.

She had been a standout lacrosse player at Hull High School, but playing at the next level was something that wasn't materializing.

Then, on one of her early days as a freshman, Geary Murphy saw some BSU women's lacrosse players working out.

"I didn't even know I'd be playing lacrosse in college," she said. "I didn't really get contacted or know about the team really. I saw some people playing lacrosse and I got in contact with them and they told me to try out. I just kind of showed up.

"I went to some fall practices and ended up trying out in January."

Geary Murphy made quite the impression, starting all 20 games as a freshman in 2013, and contributing 44 goals, 22 assists and 188 draw controls, which was the NCAA Division 3 record.

That was the start of a magnificent career for Geary Murphy, who has earned a spot in the Bridgewater State University Athletics Hall of Fame. She will be inducted during Homecoming Weekend on Friday night, Oct. 20.

Geary Murphy, one of the program's best players ever, was a key part of four straight MASCAC championship teams, playing in four consecutive NCAA Division 3 tournaments.

She was the MASCAC player of the year as a senior in 2016 and the rookie of the year in 2013. Geary Murphy was a first-team all-conference selection all four years.

Geary Murphy set the NCAA Division 3 record for career draw controls with 605 (a mark that has been broken).

She finished with 226 goals, 70 assists, 305 ground balls and 139 caused turnovers and owns school records for draw controls and ground balls while placing second in caused turnovers, third in goals and sixth in points with 296.

"I just wanted to play, honestly," said Geary Murphy, who spent one season on the BSU women's basketball team (which also won the MASCAC title and advanced to the NCAA tournament) in 2013-14. "I didn't know where I would stand walking into tryouts.

"There had already been players there for two or three years. I just wanted to be on the field. They put me on the field the first game and that's how it all started."

Geary Murphy had three goals, two assists, nine draw controls and five ground balls in her debut on March 13, 2013, an 18-3 win over Wentworth.

During her four seasons, Geary Murphy played for four head coaches, including Erika Smith, Holly Drown, Gina Riitano and Erica Adams.

"It was different than high school, much more competitive," she said. "The coaches were, I guess, on you more, really knowledgeable. They knew how to help you achieve your goals and help you get there.

"We had four different coaches who had different coaching styles, so I kind of picked up a little bit from each of them."

Seven years after graduating, Geary Murphy is returning to campus and heading to the Hall of Fame.

"It's such an honor," she said. "Definitely it was the coaching and my teammates who helped me, and my family. They showed up for every game. That was a lot of it.

"I'm really excited. It's a great honor. It's going to be awesome."