Minister, Crusaders ready to open 2024 campaign

Throughout her time with the Holy Cross women’s lacrosse team, Kelsey Minister has played a bigger and bigger role every season. After appearing in two games during a COVID-shortened year as a freshman in 2021, she became a key contributor on defense in 2022, starting nine games for the Crusaders. Then as a junior in 2023, Minister helped Holy Cross to a fifth-place finish in the Patriot League and its first conference tournament appearance since 2018, while making 12 starts.

Heading into her senior season, Minister has taken on even more responsibility, as she has been selected to serve as one of the team’s captains along with Maria Comerford and Lauren Drillock.

“I knew being a captain was going to be a big responsibility, but it is something that I take very seriously,” Minister said. “To me, a big part of it is making sure everyone on the team is happy to be here and loves each other like family. I want to make sure people are giving each other positive, loving, kind, encouraging energy. Having a close-knit, tight team can take us a long way this year.”

The Crusaders return eight starters and 18 letterwinners off last year’s team, while also adding seven talented freshmen to the roster. Minister believes Holy Cross has everything in place to build off the success of the 2023 campaign and make another postseason appearance.

“I have faith in every aspect of our game – our goalies, our defense, our crease, our draw, our attackers,” Minister said. “We are ready to showcase how hard we worked this fall and represent Holy Cross in the best way. It was really exciting to make the Patriot League tournament last year, but we believe that things will only go up from there.”

The 2024 season is set to begin with home games against Fairfield (Feb. 10, 1 p.m.) and Bryant (Feb. 14, 5:30 p.m.). Minister is looking forward to the prospect of beginning the year in the friendly confines of Kuzniewski Field.

“Being at home to start the season is awesome,” Minister said. “It is always special to play on our own field with our walk-out music and our jerseys hanging in the locker room, so having this homestand to start the year will be fun and exciting. It will also be great for me personally, because may parents will be able to fly out and get to see me play several games at home.”

Minister’s parents face a long trip when making their way to Worcester, as the family hails from Bellevue, Wash. And while the prospect of moving thousands of miles away from home might sound intimidating, Minister had little trouble adapting to life on Mount St. James.

“It was nerve-racking to move all the way across the country, but it was also very exciting,” Minister said. “I have some family in the Boston area, so that made it a little easier to move and make the jump. Then once I arrived on campus, the family atmosphere of the team was very welcoming. Any time I couldn’t make it home for a holiday, there were so many girls who would invite me to their house for Thanksgiving or Easter.”

While adapting to life on the East Coast and being a key contributor on the field, Minister has also found the time to have success in the classroom. She was named to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Academic Honor Roll as a junior, and is a three-time selection to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.

“The work is both challenging and rewarding,” Minister said. “Holy Cross really does value academics equally to athletics, and the liberal arts program has allowed me to receive a well-rounded education with a major in economics and a minor in religious studies.”

After she graduates from Holy Cross in May, Minister will return home to Washington where she is set to begin her career in the Seattle office of BlackRock, one of the world’s leading providers of investment, advisory, and risk management solutions. But for now she is focused on leading her teammates and helping the Crusaders have a big year in 2024.

'SADER SHORTS

• Holy Cross has an all-time mark of 18-26 in season openers.
• Fairfield owns a narrow 11-10 lead in the all-time series with the Crusaders.
• Holy Cross stands 4-5 all-time against Bryant.

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