Foster Snell

In recent years, the RIT Women’s Lacrosse Team has been growing and evolving into a full-fledged winning machine. Last year, the team even made it to the Empire 8 Finals — a first in RIT history. Although numerous factors have contributed to the team’s streak, it’s fair to say attack Eileen Hennigan has played a definitive role.

Hennigan’s interest in sports began at an early age. “I started playing lacrosse when I was little, in elementary school,” said Hennigan, a fourth year Graphic Media student. Noting that she was largely following a family tradition, Hennigan said, “I have an older brother and sister who play sports, so I kind of followed behind them.” In addition to lacrosse, Hennigan participated in a number of sports during her youth, including basketball and soccer.

In high school, Hennigan played varsity lacrosse for three years at the Christian Brothers Academy in Liverpool, N.Y., scoring 62 goals and earning her first all-league team honors during her senior year in 2006.

When it came time to pick a college, Hennigan was motivated primarily by academics. “I first looked at RIT because of the programs,” she said. “I came here for school first.”

Despite being academically-focused, Hennigan quickly joined the RIT Women’s Lacrosse team her first year on campus. During her first season, the newcomer quickly rose to accolades as an attack, earning an All-Empire 8 honorable mention, and finishing second on RIT’s team with 32 goals.

In 2008, back for a second year, she kept up the pace, scoring 43 goals — the second most scored in one season at RIT. With her career high of 47 points, she led the Tigers in scoring. She was also a crucial scorer in an April 13 win against Elmira.

But it was during her third year that Hennigan truly began to shine. For her third season in a row, she scored over 30 goals, played in all 18 games, and scored several game-winning goals. She was ranked second on the team.

While balancing a busy schedule of work and play, Hennigan has managed to maintain her grades. Sporting a 3.75 GPA, she was named to the Empire 8 President’s List both in 2008 and 2009. She admits it has been difficult, but not as much as it may seem. “It’s not too bad — maybe if it’s week nine or 10 in the winter, and I’ve got 6 a.m. workouts and practice,” said Hennigan with a laugh.

Hennigan only has to balance for a few more weeks however, as she graduates in May. After college, Hennigan plans to move elsewhere — she’s not sure yet — and find a job. In her spare time, she plans to join an adult lacrosse league.

For now, Hennigan hopes to finish up her time at RIT with a bang. On May 8, the team will travel to Ithaca N.Y. to face the Stevens Ducks. If successful, they stand to earn a spot in the Empire 8 championships the next day, a feat — if accomplished — would only be for the second time in RIT history.

Stats

• Goals: 32
• Ground Balls: 10
• All-Empire 8 Honorable Mention
• Second in RIT on scoring

• Goals: 43
• All-Empire 8 Honorable Mention
• Empire 8 President’s List
• Led in scoring with 47 points

• Goals: 33
• Ground Balls: 15
• Empire 8 President’s List