For Boyertown senior Dana Siepietowski, lacrosse is quite simply a part of who she is. She has been playing the sport since fifth grade when her brother suggested she switch from softball to lacrosse. She never regretted that decision.
She’s been playing ever since, slowly but surely falling in love with the sport. She played for the BOLT (the Boyertown Optimist youth program), two years at the Boyertown Jr. High West, then four years at the high school level (counting her upcoming senior season). She has also played in her travel team, 380 Lacrosse, since seventh grade, and volunteers as a coach for that organization as well.
Now she has decided to continue playing at the college level. Last week Siepietowski signed her Letter-of-Intent to play lacrosse at the University of Scranton starting next year.
‘I chose Scranton because it had everything I wanted academically and with lacrosse,’ said Siepietowski. ‘I felt as if I was at home with my Boyertown girls and I knew it would challenge and prepare me both on and off the field.
Dana visited the campus in August, then again in October for an overnight visit. It didn’t take long to figure out that this was where she belonged.
‘I’m familiar with the upstate area so I immediately felt comfortable with the city and campus,’ said Siepietowski. ‘Everyone, from maintenance workers to the professors, are so welcoming and supportive to the student athletes. It’s such a positive atmosphere, I can only imagine the energy during the school year on campus. The coaches portrayed the same vibes. Coach (Cindy) Wilson and Coach (Katie) Slade were so helpful with anything I needed while applying and with the recruiting process.
Last year was Wilson’s first season as head coach of the Scranton women’s lacrosse team. The Royals were 9-6 last year and earned a berth in the Landmark Conference Tournament for the fourth time in six years the team has been in the league. The program itself is just 14 years old.
She still has one more season of high school lacrosse to play before she moves on. Boyertown High head lacrosse coach Pam Wernersbach believes Dana will do just fine playing at the college level.
‘Dana has always been an enthusiastic and hard-working player for Boyertown,’ said Wernersbach. ‘She has played wherever and whomever we asked her to play. I think she will be an impact player for Scranton. She is a well-balanced athletic lacrosse player who can play both defense and offense.’
As for Dana, she has no worries about playing at the college level.
‘I’m not nervous at all to play college lacrosse,’ said Siepietowski. ‘I’ve been coached and trained by the best for the last four years with the work ethic and passion that has prepared me to compete at that next level. I look forward to the challenges of college lacrosse and proving my spot as a Royal.’
What makes Dana an exceptional player is as much her attitude as her skills. She loves the sports and loves to compete. She just wants to continue playing the sport beyond high school.
‘Lacrosse is something I’m extremely passionate about,’ she said. ‘There are always ways to get better and stronger and change the way you play. It’s part of who I am, and I can honestly say I’d be a different person without it. It teaches you not only teamwork but the roles within a team. Some days you’re the leader and sometimes you need to step back and follow someone else.
‘One of the main reasons I keep playing is that it mentally and physically pushes me beyond my limits, but at the same time it’s a common love I can continue to share with future generations when coaching.’
When she leaves Boyertown to head to Scranton, Dana will be leaving a program that has enjoyed nothing but success. The team has won 10 straight PAC-10 titles and hasn’t lost a league game in that time. Dana will certainly miss being a part of the program.
‘Boyertown lacrosse is a force to be reckoned with and having the mind set that we have a target on our backs every year pushes us to perform our bests,’ said Siepietowski. ‘Coach Wernersbach never expects less than our best every day and that’s why we are who we are, and why we play with such pride.’
