By Bridget Algeo
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/10/08
Ask Villa Joseph Marie senior captain Sarah Magnone who has impacted her life in a positive way, and she’s got two words.
“My mom.”
In fact, Sarah, who is a four year-starter for VJM and has made the Bucks County Courier Times Spring Golden team for three straight years, has learned a lot from mom “both on and off the field.”
Many of those lessons may have to do with the fact that Stephanie Magnone has been her daughter’s lacrosse coach since the days that Sarah played for Lower Bucks Lacrosse. Now, as head coach of the Villa Joseph Marie, Stephanie Magnone celebrates Mother’s Day thinking about another kind of jewelry – the Gems of VJM.
The young Gems are gearing for Tuesday’s Catholic Academies League playoff game against regular-season champion Villa Maria Academy. And coach Magnone can be proud on Mother’s Day knowing that her daughter has listened closely.
“My mom has taught me a lot,” says Sarah, who recently earned high honors this past quarter and boasts a GPA of 3.80. She continues to list the lessons in a succinct manner: “How you practice is how you play. Commitment. Being positive. Working hard.”
It appears that the instruction of mom Stephanie has been taken to heart by Sarah, who also enjoyed both field hockey and an indoor track scholastic careers at VJM.
To date, the Laxzilla/Phillylacrosse Female Student-Athlete of the Week has racked up 56 goals, 38 draw controls, and 8 assists. These impressive statistics likely drew the University of New Haven to offer a scholarship to the fleet-footed midfielder, who enjoyed the Division II school’s atmosphere and the chance to experience playing with their team.
For now, however, Sarah is happy to savor the experience of playing not only for her mom, but with a young squad for which she has “high expectations” as they enter the post-season.
Just like her mother taught her, Sarah Magnone keeps it positive.
“We’re a pretty competitive team,” she said. “We had losses which were only by one point. We’re young, but everyone is experienced.”
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