Jenna Ablondi

Lexie Petrie signs her National Letter of Intent to continue her lacrosse career at Shippensburg University.

On February 4, Linganore High School (LHS) senior Lexie Petrie signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her lacrosse career at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.

Petrie has been playing lacrosse since she was in third grade. Having begun her athletic career playing softball, she eventually decided she needed a change. 

“I didn’t really like softball,” said Petrie. “So I just wanted to try it [lacrosse] out, and I ended up really liking it.”

Petrie has played lacrosse for numerous teams including the Renegades in Frederick and the Rebels in Montgomery County. After entering high school, Petrie tried out for the school’s lacrosse team, where her athleticism earned her a spot on varsity in her freshman year. 

According to Petrie’s lacrosse coach, Dean Coccia, her athletic talents are plentiful and have helped lead the team to victories on more than one occasion.

“She’s the most versatile lacrosse player,” Coccia said. “[She’s] a true two-way midfielder, with excellent stick skills, strong ground ball skills, effective offensive awareness and [acts as] an outstanding defensive vacuum.”

Petrie has proven herself on the field for all three years she has played at LHS. Having competed at regionals every year of high school, Coccia stated that Petrie has always come through in the team’s biggest moments. 

“At each of the last three regional championships, she has either scored a goal or secured a critical ground ball that has helped decide the outcome of the game,” Coccia said.

However, the wins did not come without their challenges. According to Petrie’s mother, Sheri Petrie, balancing all of Lexie Petrie’s sports obligations was a challenge for the whole family.

“She [Lexie Petrie] played club soccer and club lacrosse, and so just balancing family obligations, her sports schedule and just getting her everywhere she needs to be to be involved and stay committed was difficult,” Sheri Petrie said. 

Even through these challenges, Sheri Petrie believes it has been worth it seeing her daughter grow.

“My favorite memory [of Lexie] wasn’t a particular memory, but just watching her growth, especially when she moved from club and starting in high school,” Sheri Petrie said. 

After years of balancing both academics and lacrosse, Lexie Petrie’s hard work paid off when she received an offer to continue her athletic career at Shippensburg.

Petrie was in high demand,  receiving athletic offers from multiple other schools, including one to play flag football, another sport she has played at Linganore since her junior year. 

Ultimately, her visit to Shippensburg proved the school had everything she was looking for.

“When I went to visit there, it really felt like somewhere I could see myself being, even outside of lacrosse,” Petrie said. “Also, when meeting the team, they were all very welcoming and friendly. I also really like the coach, her coaching style and how close she is with all the girls.”

While Petrie remains undecided in her major, she does plan to pursue a career in the business field. With the John L. Groves College of Business at Shippensburg being a nationally ranked business program, there is no doubt she will have many opportunities at the school.

While Coccia admits that Petrie will be missed after this final season of lacrosse, he also stated that Shippensburg is gaining a great athlete and teammate.

“Lexie will be a tremendous asset to the Shippensburg Raiders lacrosse program,” Coccia said. “Congratulations, Lexie. We are so proud of you and excited to watch you.”