The Stags Women’s Lacrosse Team is looking to improve on their mediocre, 9-9 season from last year and Riley Hellstein ‘17 is ready to lead the way. She returns as Fairfield’s leading scorer with 39 goals a season ago as well as placing second on the team with 50 points.
“I’m so excited about this year, even though I am a little melancholy,” said Hellstein regarding her final season. “But still, my main goal is to end the season with a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship.”
The MAAC All-Academic is a big believer in developing the future stars of the lacrosse team. She knows how important it is to help teach the underclassmen and possibly accelerate their maturation as players. Also, she wants to display her friendliness to her teammates so she presents herself as an approachable team leader. Making a lasting impact on young players is what Hellstein wants to emphasize.
“I want to serve as a leader to this team and lead by example to the younger players because it will benefit them the most,” Hellstein said. “Also I try to learn from the younger players and to keep an open mind so I learn new things as well.”
The Feeding Hills, Mass. native does not shy away from humbling experiences in the past. Coming off of last year’s 9-9 season, she desires to achieve great things as the Stags enter this campaign. She exuded confidence about the team, not forgetting the disappointment they endured.
“I think last year helped a lot since we came off of a MAAC Championship season from two years ago and it gave us a humbling experience,” Hellstein said. “It is not going to be like that every year. We have seen adversity and now we have experience dealing with that. We hope to rise up instead of crumbling under pressure.”
The All-MAAC Second Team recipient loves to be a team player and exhibit selflessness. She cares about her personal stats but she cares more about how the team performs as a whole. Her main wish is to see the team play well and win every game. She puts the team first and herself second.
“No matter who leads our team in goals, I really want to see this team win rather than be caught up in my personal success. I just want this team to succeed. As long as the team gets to where we need to be, I will be very happy,” said Hellstein.
As this Stags Women’s Lacrosse Team heads into the season with Hellstein leading the charge, the Stags should be excited to start the season in hopes to achieve greatness. The midfielder possesses the authority to lead a team in the right direction. Since she wants to achieve nothing less than a MAAC Championship, Stags lacrosse fans have something to cheer about and look forward to come February. Every single player is itching to start their season on the right note, especially Hellstein, so she can add to her impressive resume in her final season in the red and white.
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