Tenacious, driven and fiery are all words that have been used to describe junior midfielder Lily Santi’s powerful style of play.
After having 12 points last season, Santi has already surpassed that number now, having 17 points in the nine games the team has played this season.
She leads the team in points and goals scored, with six goals so far this season, and started in eight of the nine games for the Hawks.
“I didn’t start many games last year,” Santi said. “Coming from that to starting almost every game, I think my confidence has grown.”
Head Coach Hannah Prince said she knew Santi would have an impact on the team when Prince recruited her during her time as an assistant coach.
“I knew that she would be able to come here and bring that intensity,” Prince said. “It is awesome to see her consistently starting and playing a lot of minutes and just crushing it.”
Senior midfielder Katy Benton said she was also aware of Santi’s potential and what she could bring to the team from her first year.
“In practice, she holds everyone accountable,” Benton said. “She’s there for the team, and she wants us to all get better.”
Benton believes that Santi’s presence on the field is apparent as soon as she is put into the game.
“On the field, she’s a spark,” Benton said. “Whenever she gets the ball, I know she’s going to do something good with it.”
Santi’s improvement throughout her time on the team was made apparent by her career-high seven points against #23 Rutgers University, on Aug. 28. Her performance in this game earned her Atlantic 10 Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week.
“I go out every game hoping to put some goals in the net for my team,” Santi said. “It doesn’t really matter who puts the ball in the net, but whoever does it, we are getting the win anyway.”
Her team-first mentality has allowed her to gain the respect of her teammates. According to Prince, Santi is one of the hardest workers on the team and is always encouraging her teammates to work hard as well.
“She leads by example with her work ethic,” Prince said. “She brings her teammates along with her.”
Santi’s work ethic and dedication also translates to her play on the field according to Benton.
“She is really focused and dedicated every time she steps on the field,” Benton said. “It shows when she is put into the game. She is ready to go.”
During practices, Santi has been putting in work with her coaches, leading to her improvement on the field.
“I’ve been working closely with my attacking coach,” Santi said. “[They are] giving me different things I can do during certain drills to improve my play.”
Prince said she has seen the results of this work pay off in Santi’s play during games through her quick restart and her ability to win corners. She credits Santi’s power on her shot as leading to goals or rebounds for the team.
“[Santi] brings a huge threat on attack,” Prince said. “She creates a lot of opportunities in the circle and even outside the circle.”
Prince said that Santi’s improvement this season is just the beginning for her.
“She is off to a really great start, and I think she is someone that just constantly wants to get better and stay hungry,” Prince said. “I see it continuing, but I think she has had a great start.”
