The Butler Women’s Lacrosse team is set to kick off their ninth season since the team was founded. Head coach Maggie Zentraf’s team is unlike any other before, including seventeen new players and two additions to the coaching staff.
With such a large group of newcomers comes a lot of change, and the upperclassmen have provided leadership through this shift, spurring a clear change in team identity and culture from previous squads in the past.
“I think this year we are truly blessed with a group that wants to win, wants to change how others perceive Butler lacrosse, and wants to put the work in to make that happen,” senior midfielder Gabby Mahaffey said. “Our younger girls are incredible teammates and people, and the work our captains–as well as the entire senior class–have put in in terms of leadership is something I have never seen”.
This culture shift has influenced others on the team to lead by example, fostering an uplifting team environment across incoming freshmen and transfers alike.
One newcomer inspired to make change is senior attacker Paris Alexander, as being an upperclassman has nudged her into a dual position as a leader and new teammate.
“I’m fortunate enough to be a part of a great group of seniors this year and as a transfer I’ve been able to almost look up to them in a way while also working collaboratively with them on expectations to elevate this team,” Alexander said. “I try to lead by example on and off the field in a positive light so I can pave the way for the younger girls now and the future of this program.”
“I feel like this team is so cohesive, everyone loves each other, and everyone includes each other no matter their age or grade level,” freshman attacker Makenna Evans said. “We are one big family and I feel like I have so much support being surrounded by these girls”.
This change wouldn’t be possible without new coaching additions Abigail Lagos and Meghan Deehan, as alongside coach Zentraf their culture-building approach has prepared the squad for the season ahead and made the newcomers feel at home.
Lagos came to Butler from Duquesne University where her coaching efforts helped the Dukes triple their win total from the 2023 season. As a player, Lagos was a captain at the University of Indianapolis, winning the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championship and was named to the All-Tournament team and received IWLCA National Player of the Year honors.
Deehan hosts a five-year collegiate career that included stints at George Mason University and Furman University, notching All-SoCon Second Team honors in 2021 while earning a SoCon regular-season championship. Deehan began her coaching experience at Eagle Stix, a club program in Atlanta, Georgia where she trained players for six years. This is Deehan’s first collegiate coaching experience.
“All three coaches are incredibly personable, encouraging, smart and hard workers,” Mahaffey said. “They are putting work in even when we don’t see it and their presence has had a huge impact on our program. I’m so thankful to have the chance to be coached by these three women.”
The team looks to use this shift in culture and influx of new talent to improve upon their record last season, where they finished with their second Big East win in program history.
With six home games and eight away games, including trips to Eugene, Oregon and Denver, Colorado, the Bulldogs will have plenty of fun travelling.
“I am so excited for our travel days,” Mahaffey said. “I just enjoy traveling with the team and having sleepovers with my best friends on a trip fully paid for where we can go play the sport we love. Like how freaking cool is that?”.
The Bulldogs’ first scrimmage is against the University of Indianapolis on February 2. Butler starts the season against Oregon on February 7.
