Conestoga’s Mallory finds the ‘perfect fit’ at St. Joseph’s University in the last minute

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/22/09

Recent Conestoga graduate Taylor Mallory, who helped the young Pioneers reach the District 1 playoffs, has signed a letter of intent to play at St. Joseph’s University in 2009-10.

Malloy, a first-team All-Central League pick at midfield, got into the recruiting scene late. But Abby Renninger, a former Conestoga player who recently graduated from St. Joe’s, mentioned Mallory to Hawks coach Denise Roessler. Mallory then impressed Roessler late in the season and fell for the City Line campus.

“It really was a last-minute thing,” said Mallory. “I decided I really wanted to play in college, and Abby talked to Denise Roessler for me. She came out and saw me play and I got accepted for late application.”

At St. Joe’s, Mallory, who had 43 goals and 22 assists this year, will join fellow Philly recruit Alisha Aquilino (Abington, goalie). Mallory is undecided on a major.

“St. Joe’s is the perfect fit; it’s close to home, and my parents can keep watching me play,” Mallory said. “It’s the right size and I feel like it’s on the rise and that I’ll have a good chance of playing.”

“I Think campus is gorgeous and I love the location; it’s right outside the city and I know that area well.”

Mallory was one of only three seniors for Conestoga and said that fellow co-captains Kaitlin Hildebrand and Kelsey Haddad accepted the challenge of being leaders for a youthful group.

“I was pleasantly surprised, we had a really young team,” she said. “We only had three seniors and about five returning varsity players. To be honest, we exceeded expectations this season.

“I feel like the underclassmen looked up to us because so many were so inexperienced. It was nice to be a role model and watch them grow over the course of the season. I got to see so many of them improve.”