SSHS Athlete of the Week: Michaela Lynch

Coming off a with the Lady Cyclones soccer team, junior Michaela Lynch has her sights set on taking a young Lady Cyclones lacrosse squad on a deep playoff run this spring.

The junior center mid has stepped up as a team leader after the Lady Cyclones graduated several of its top players from last season. In the past three games, Lynch has tallied 14 goals and 18 assists, but she's too humble to say her exquisite play has led a young Lady Cyclones team to an early 5-2 record.

"It's not really shouldering the load," Lynch said when asked if she'll have to do more this season for her team to win. "I feel like we work as a team. It's not just one person. Everyone is working together and that's how we win."

Lynch is dedicated to improving her skill set, whether it's by participating in offseason practices or picking the brain of former teammates. Lynch said the Lady Cyclones recently worked out with Hofstra's women's lacrosse team, whose goalie — Kelsey Gregorson — guarded the net for South Side last season.

"She had great pointers for us," Lynch said. "It was a good opportunity to start getting a feel for everyone."

Having a feel for her teammates on the field is also one of Lynch's greatest strengths. The junior said seeing the field and knowing where her teammates are is what she does best. "I know some people like to go behind the net or come off the side, but I like to keep my head up and see the field," she said.

Head Coach Meaghan Healey added that Lynch is a team motivator and someone the younger girls look up to. "She is certainly a skilled athlete," Healey said. "Things she does in the offseason really helps us. The girls look to her as a role model and she appreciates that. She's helping us to fulfill our goal of going as far as we can go in the playoffs by motivating her other teammates, by pushing them to a level that they don’t think they can get to."

Lynch also pushes herself academically. She is an IB student with a 95 overall average. After her senior year, Lynch said she will play lacrosse for George Washington University.