Building the Pitt Program: Maureen McNierney
7/20/2020 4:05:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Malverne, N.Y. native ready for college competition
PITTSBURGH – Growing up playing many different sports, Maureen McNierney always enjoyed the competitiveness of athletics. In eighth grade, she knew that lacrosse was her favorite sport and wanted to find a way to keep playing as long as she could.
"I grew up playing soccer, basketball, track, and lacrosse and I knew I wanted to continue at least one of them in college," McNierney said. "It wasn't until about eighth grade that I decided I really wanted to focus on continuing my lacrosse career."
When McNierney learned that Pitt would be adding a varsity lacrosse program, she was eager to find out how she could be a part of it.
"I was initially drawn to Pitt because I heard they were starting a division I varsity program," McNierney said. "It wasn't until I visited Pitt and met coach Emily Boissonneault that I knew it was the right fit for me. I was very impressed by everybody I met on campus and by what Pitt had to offer academically and athletically."
The Malverne, N.Y., native began playing lacrosse when she was just six years old. In fourth grade, she joined her first club team, Turf Island, and later joined Icon Lacrosse for her middle school years. As McNierney began high school, she played on Kellenberg Memorial High's varsity team and joined Long Island Liberty Lacrosse, where she played from ninth to 11th grade.
"The best thing about lacrosse is the fun, competitive, and fast paced nature of the game," McNierney said. "It's exciting to watch and even more exciting to play alongside great teammates and coaches."
This is what McNierney looks forward to as she helps build the foundation of Pitt lacrosse.
"I am super excited to be part of building this program from scratch," McNierney said. "It is an extremely unique opportunity that I'm so grateful to be a part of."
For McNierney, collegiate lacrosse is appealing because of its tough competition and intensity. Although she has played for a club lacrosse team her whole life, McNierney knows playing in the ACC will be the most difficult league she's encountered so far.
"Competing in one of the most competitive conferences is going to be a challenge for sure but challenges are always exciting," she said. "The adversity that we face in the first few years is only going to make us stronger as a program and work that much harder to achieve our goals."
McNierney is confident that her teammates and coaches will be prepared for the tough competition that lies ahead.
"I met Coach Emily on my first visit to Pitt. Her enthusiasm about the program was contagious," McNierney said. "I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of her team and was super excited when the opportunity presented itself. I have had many so great coaches in the past, but Coach Emily's passion and dedication to this team is unmatched," she added. "I cannot wait to get on campus and be coached by her and the rest of the staff."
Still undecided on a course of study, McNierney hopes to pursue healthcare and rehabilitation sciences.
"My dream career right now would probably be a physical therapist or a dietician," she said. "I would love to do something health science related since it is a big part of being an athlete and taking care of yourself."
The summer has given McNierney ample time to catch up with her new teammates and begin preparing for her first year as a college student athlete.
"My new teammates and I have been keeping in touch and sharing our excitement with each other," McNierney said. "Unfortunately, I've never been able to meet them in person, but we've been doing our best to stay connected and focused on training and staying motivated."
Building a collegiate lacrosse program will be an exciting journey that McNierney cannot wait to embark on.
"Being on a varsity team will be like being a part of a new family," she said. "I will have my teammates and coaches to rely on and we will be able to work together to achieve some great things in the next few years."
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"I grew up playing soccer, basketball, track, and lacrosse and I knew I wanted to continue at least one of them in college," McNierney said. "It wasn't until about eighth grade that I decided I really wanted to focus on continuing my lacrosse career."
When McNierney learned that Pitt would be adding a varsity lacrosse program, she was eager to find out how she could be a part of it.
"I was initially drawn to Pitt because I heard they were starting a division I varsity program," McNierney said. "It wasn't until I visited Pitt and met coach Emily Boissonneault that I knew it was the right fit for me. I was very impressed by everybody I met on campus and by what Pitt had to offer academically and athletically."
The Malverne, N.Y., native began playing lacrosse when she was just six years old. In fourth grade, she joined her first club team, Turf Island, and later joined Icon Lacrosse for her middle school years. As McNierney began high school, she played on Kellenberg Memorial High's varsity team and joined Long Island Liberty Lacrosse, where she played from ninth to 11th grade.
"The best thing about lacrosse is the fun, competitive, and fast paced nature of the game," McNierney said. "It's exciting to watch and even more exciting to play alongside great teammates and coaches."
This is what McNierney looks forward to as she helps build the foundation of Pitt lacrosse.
"I am super excited to be part of building this program from scratch," McNierney said. "It is an extremely unique opportunity that I'm so grateful to be a part of."
For McNierney, collegiate lacrosse is appealing because of its tough competition and intensity. Although she has played for a club lacrosse team her whole life, McNierney knows playing in the ACC will be the most difficult league she's encountered so far.
"Competing in one of the most competitive conferences is going to be a challenge for sure but challenges are always exciting," she said. "The adversity that we face in the first few years is only going to make us stronger as a program and work that much harder to achieve our goals."
McNierney is confident that her teammates and coaches will be prepared for the tough competition that lies ahead.
"I met Coach Emily on my first visit to Pitt. Her enthusiasm about the program was contagious," McNierney said. "I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of her team and was super excited when the opportunity presented itself. I have had many so great coaches in the past, but Coach Emily's passion and dedication to this team is unmatched," she added. "I cannot wait to get on campus and be coached by her and the rest of the staff."
Still undecided on a course of study, McNierney hopes to pursue healthcare and rehabilitation sciences.
"My dream career right now would probably be a physical therapist or a dietician," she said. "I would love to do something health science related since it is a big part of being an athlete and taking care of yourself."
The summer has given McNierney ample time to catch up with her new teammates and begin preparing for her first year as a college student athlete.
"My new teammates and I have been keeping in touch and sharing our excitement with each other," McNierney said. "Unfortunately, I've never been able to meet them in person, but we've been doing our best to stay connected and focused on training and staying motivated."
Building a collegiate lacrosse program will be an exciting journey that McNierney cannot wait to embark on.
"Being on a varsity team will be like being a part of a new family," she said. "I will have my teammates and coaches to rely on and we will be able to work together to achieve some great things in the next few years."
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