Stony Brook, N.Y. (Apr. 16, 2009) – The case of Stony Brook University women's lacrosse star Kaitlin Leggio demonstrates that an elite player from Long Island can stay home, play a sport at a Division I level, excel and have a great experience in the process.

In the history of the America East Conference, which has sponsored women's lacrosse since 1996, only two players have earned all-conference honors all four years: Boston University's Chrissy Lombard and Mary Beth Miller. More than likely, Leggio, a Bay Shore product, will be number three. "It hasn't hit me that it's almost over," Leggio said. "I've made so many lifelong friends. Stony Brook has been my second home and I don't intend on being too far away from it."

As the 2006 season began under interim coach Allison Comito, the Seawolves were returning their top five leading scorers from 2005, a talented midfield and a defense that would allow only 10 goals per game. And a freshman midfielder named Kaitlin Leggio was about to embark on a record-setting career.

She would change the culture of Stony Brook women's lacrosse, helping a team that had gone 21-25 in its first three years compile a 31-19 record in her first three seasons. She owns the school record for points (242) on 146 goals – two fewer than the school record, with two games remaining in her career – and 96 assists. She also owns the school record for points in a season (71, 2007) and single-game records for goals (seven), assists (six), points (nine), ground balls (10) and draw controls (11, twice).

Not that any of this was much of a surprise. "I knew her sister and the type of family Kaitlin comes from," Comito said. "The style she was bringing to Stony Brook was one that was imposing yet selfless."

Meghan McNamara, a former assistant coach at Stony Brook and currently the head coach at C.W. Post, was involved in the recruitment of Leggio. "I believe the idea of Kaitlin being part of a team that had the opportunity to grow and be ranked captivated her," said McNamara, who along with Comito will coach Leggio and Team Ireland at the 2009 Women's World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic. "With her enthusiasm, passion, skill and personality, I saw her to be a great fit for Stony Brook's program."

A five-year letterwinner from Bay Shore High School in western Suffolk County, which has produced more than 15 All-American selections – including Leggio's sister, Kristie, an outstanding player at both Maryland and Denver – Leggio amassed 408 points (250 goals, 158 assists) for the Marauders.

"The first time my husband and I thought Kaitlin could be a great player was when she was a freshman and Kristie was a senior at Bay Shore and they made it to the state semifinals," said Sue Leggio, Kaitlin's mother. Added Kristie, "From the moment we stepped on the field together, I knew she was going to be great. She has the ability to score from anywhere, make plays happen and get everyone on the team involved."

Playing alongside teammates who would go on to attend lacrosse powers such as Penn State, Denver, Cornell and New Hampshire, Leggio took an unusual route in choosing a college. She would attend Stony Brook University, a school that had been in Division I for only seven years and had fielded a women's lacrosse program for only three. "The team chemistry the girls showed me when I came on my official visit was what I wanted," Leggio said.

The Leggio family was pleased with her decision. "Having her stay on Long Island was something we supported," Sue said. "By her staying at home, we would have the opportunity to see her grow from game to game."

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2009-04-16