Siblings don’t often get to play college sports together.

So after playing two seasons together on the Norwich University women’s lacrosse team, it was obvious how special it was for the Fitzpatrick sisters, Mollie and Grace, of Falmouth.

Additional Photos

Mollie Fitzpatrick may have finished her career with the Norwich women’s lacrosse team, but she has memories of playing with her younger sister for her final two seasons. Courtesy of Norwich University

Mollie Fitzpatrick

Grace Fitzpatrick

Grace Fitzpatrick had an easier transition to college than others because she got to play with her sister, who is two years older, and became part of a group of built-in friends. Courtesy of Norwich University

“It was pretty neat,” said Mollie Fitzpatrick. “When I left her (at Cheverus High) she was pretty good. It was neat to see how improved she was and how much of an impact she had on the team.

“Stats-wise, she was a lot better than me. I didn’t realize she was that good.”

They had a big hand in helping Norwich (14-2) advance to the NCAA Division III tournament for the third consecutive year.

Grace Fitzpatrick, a sophomore midfielder, was second on the team in scoring with 61 goals and 12 assists. She also collected 73 ground balls and 66 draw controls, and caused 26 turnovers.

Mollie Fitzpatrick, an attacker who graduated last week with a degree in psychology, was fourth on the team in scoring with 27 goals and nine assists. She had 25 ground balls, 15 draw controls and caused 17 turnovers.

“It was pretty awesome to play with her in college,” said Grace Fitzpatrick. “The Fitzpatrick sisters on the field that was pretty sweet.”

For Mollie Fitzpatrick, the first-round NCAA tournament loss ended a college career that also saw her play hockey for the Cadets, advancing to the NCAA Division III championship game three straight years.

“We walked across the field together and our mom came over,” said Grace Fitzpatrick. “We don’t like to break down too much but I could see (Mollie) was upset. I’m just glad I got to share that last game.”

“Sports have been my whole life,” said Mollie Fitzpatrick. “Now that it’s over, it’s time to move on. I’ll never be able to wear a uniform or play on a team again. And I won’t be out there with (Grace) again.”

Both were challenged at the college level. “The skill level is higher than in high school, the speed of the game is much faster,” said Grace Fitzpatrick. “The goalies are better. The shots are harder. You have to work twice as hard to stop an attacker or twice as hard to get the ball on the other side of the field.”

Grace Fitzpatrick said she had the advantage of following Mollie, who not only introduced her younger sister to a group of built-in friends but proved to be a very good mentor.

“I learned from her that you really have to work hard in the offseason,” said Grace Fitzpatrick of her sister. “She was always working her butt off. Because we’re so competitive with each other, we always try to one-up each other.

“Seeing her do well always made me want to do better.”

For Mollie Fitzpatrick, the biggest challenge was balancing two sports with her studies. “I do think it grounded me,” she said. “It kept me on track. I always had sports growing up, I’ve always been busy. And I know I needed to do well in school to keep playing.”

BASEBALL

Colby senior first baseman Robb Arndt of Yarmouth was named to the New England Small College Athletic Conference second team. Arndt hit .336 and led Colby in runs (27) and walks (17). He also committed one error in 294 chances for a .997 fielding percentage.

LACROSSE

Twin brothers Roman and Cameron Lao-Gosney of Raymond (Hebron Academy) played pivotal roles as senior midfielders in Lehigh University’s 14-3 men’s team. The Mountain Hawks advanced to the first round of the NCAA tournament, where they lost 10-9 to Maryland on a goal with six seconds remaining. Roman Lao-Gosney had a goal and assist in that game. For the season, Roman Lao-Gosney had 20 goals and six assists, collecting 13 ground balls. Cameron Lao-Gosney finished with 13 goals and nine assists, and gathered 18 ground balls.

• Hobart College senior attackman Sam Miller of Yarmouth was honored with the team’s Lt. John Vandeverg ’50 Memorial Award, given to the team’s most improved player. As captain this year, he scored 24 goals and assisted on three more. In 41 career games, he had 67 goals and 11 assists.

• Three local athletes figured prominently on Assumption College’s 5-11 women’s team. Freshman midfielder Camille Auger of Kennebunk was third on the team in scoring with 24 goals and six assists. She also had 18 groundballs, 12 draw controls and 10 caused turnovers. Sophomore attack Lindsay Hagerman of Scarborough had nine goals and five assists, along with 10 groundballs and six draw controls. Sophomore midfielder Nancy McAdam of Portland gathered 26 groundballs with 18 caused turnovers and one assist.

TRACK AND FIELD

Stonehill College freshman Maria Curit of Biddeford garnered several honors in the last week. Curit earned all-New England honors in the Open New Englands at MIT by finishing fifth in the 400 (56.92 seconds) and as part of the ninth-place 3,200 relay team. She also finished 10th in the long jump in the meet, her leap of 17 feet, 2.25 inches best among Division II competitors. She was then named Northeast-10 Conference Rookie of the Week for the fifth time. And then she earned all-East Region honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross County Coaches Association in the 400 and long jump.

• Junior Erin Augulewicz of Eliot (Marshwood) was part of the 400 relay team that set a Bates women’s record of 49.23 seconds in the Open New Englands.

• Bates junior James LePage of Cumberland (Greely) ran a 1:58.85 in the 800 meters at the Open New Englands. Bates junior David Hardison of South Portland ran a 15.55 in the 110-meter hurdles (fifth among Division III runners). Bentley junior Craig Robinson of Scarborough was 17th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in a time of 9:39.36.

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:

mlowe@pressherald.com

Twitter: MikeLowePPH

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