Freshly Fielded

The bus carrying the first-year Suffolk women’s lacrosse team from Franklin to Boston was rocking and rolling. The players were singing along to upbeat songs—“Time of Our Lives” by Pitbull and Ne-Yo, “Umbrella” by Rihanna and Jay-Z, and “Up All Night” by Drake and Nicki Minaj—high-fiving, and smiling from ear to ear.

“You could feel how proud we were of what we had accomplished,” says co-captain Gracelyn Laperle, following the Rams’ 12-8 road victory over Dean College on Saturday, February 22. “I will never forget that feeling.”

It was the 2025 season-opener and the first-ever win for the brand-new Suffolk women’s lacrosse program.

“People thought we were the underdog,” says co-captain Lauren Woods, Class of 2028, who scored three goals in the historic contest. “But even after being down 4-0, we came back to win.”

Laperle, Class of 2028 and a biology major, arrived at Suffolk from Woodstock, Vermont, where she was a star and three-sport captain (lacrosse, ice hockey, and field hockey) at Woodstock Union High School. She was looking for a change of scenery from her rural hometown, and the unique opportunity to be part of a first-year varsity lacrosse program appealed to her.

“I wanted to be in the city and help build the foundation of Suffolk women’s lacrosse,” says the defensive specialist. “Because we are all new, we can implement a culture of respect for one another and develop our own traditions.”

“Being part of a new program was a big factor why I decided to come to Suffolk,” adds Woods, a midfielder and undergraduate law major from Peabody. “We are all close in age and we can learn from each other and set an example for future teams to follow.”

Laying a Good Foundation

Over the past decade, Suffolk Athletics has grown by leaps and bounds, adding new Division III varsity teams in indoor and outdoor track, as well as women’s ice hockey and golf. This spring, that number climbed to 20 with the debut of the women’s varsity lacrosse team.

Starting a team from scratch is a tall order—and it’s also a terrific opportunity, says Head Coach Carolynn Keal, who began recruiting her team in the summer of 2023, before she had ever set foot on the University campus.

As she drove cross country to Boston from Salem, Oregon, where she spent two seasons as a coach at Willamette University, she received more than 40 phone calls from recruits she had scouted in two tournaments. Her search for talented student-athletes who could help her build a team from the ground up continued at competitive events in Massachusetts, Arizona, and Florida.

“I was looking for players who have grit and hustle all over the field,” says Keal, who in her own playing days was a four-year starter and two-year captain of the women’s lacrosse team at Southern Connecticut State. “I also look at how players react after a mistake: Are they dropping their stick or turning on the gas to get the ball back for their team?”

Keal’s strategy is beginning to show results. The 16-member squad—which has at least one representative from almost every New England state as well as New York and Pennsylvania—has racked up a respectable 6-5 record as of early April, and is drawing new fans to their home games at East Boston Memorial Park’s James A. Sartori Stadium.

“Our inaugural team was all drawn to Suffolk because of the chance to make an impact right away,” says Keal. “The players know that we want to be a competitive program and it’s going to take a lot of hard work to get there. Our goal this year is to celebrate the little wins, and build the culture and foundation for years to come.”

Keal singled out attackers Ally Colburn (63 points—51 goals, 12 assists) and Julia Dickinson (49 points—30 goals, 19 assists), both Class of 2028, for leading the team’s offensive attack. She also praised Laperle and Woods for their defensive prowess and leadership skills.

“Gracie and Lauren are not only leading by example, but also growing and learning alongside the team,” says Keal. “Their dedication, work ethic, and willingness to develop, both individually and as leaders, have been key to building a strong foundation for our team’s success.”

Woods applauded Keal for her guidance and coaching style. “She gets to know you not only as a player, but on a personal level,” says Woods. “She is always encouraging us to do our best and reach our potential.”