Assistant Athletic Director and women's soccer coach Paul Vasconcelos gets the women's alumni game started.
Lesley’s men’s and women’s soccer teams celebrated old friendships and a brand new home at the annual alumni game, held on Oct. 1 at Lesley’s new playing field at Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Lexington.
Alumni athletes traveled from as far as Arizona, California, Nashville and Seattle to reconnect with teammates, get back on the pitch and celebrate a new partnership that will bring Lesley students to Minuteman’s state of the art campus for athletics and other learning opportunities.
The partnership marks a new era as Lesley prepares to join the North Atlantic Conference in 2023, allowing the athletic department to expand and add teams such as men’s and women’s lacrosse to Lesley’s existing 14 varsity sports.
“It aligns with our three-year plan to grow and strengthen our athletic programs, from adding full time coaches to partnering with Minuteman to have a place to call home for all our athletic teams,” says Athletic Director Steph Smyrl.
As athletes arrived, many with friends and family in tow, Assistant Athletic Director and women’s soccer coach Paul Vasconcelos wove his way through the crowd, hugging players, greeting new babies, and eager to get his squad of current and alumni team members out on the field. He urged everyone to have fun, go easy on the wet grass — “no one get hurt!” — and chided several of his former players for arriving a few minutes late.
“There was traffic!” one protested.
“I thought I was done being yelled at by you!” said another, and players and coach all burst out laughing. Minutes later they were in a familiar huddle.
Despite a steady drizzle, the teams played two spirited matches, cheered on by family and friends. At a festive lunch in Minuteman’s on-campus cafe, there was a jersey dedication ceremony for members of the class of 2015, including Cameron Brown, Hannah Landerholm, Christina Ogunti and Jasmine Sanchez.
President Janet L. Steinmayer thanked Minuteman Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Dawson for her work in facilitating the partnership. Dawson praised the student athletes for their leadership and athleticism and expressed hope that they would be role models for Minuteman students.
“It’s through partnerships and collaborations such as the one we have with Lesley that our young people will benefit the most,” she said.
Alumna Erin Norsen ’02, the high school’s event/facility and business coordinator, was instrumental in making the connection between Lesley and Minuteman. Fondly recalling her undergraduate days as a Lynx mascot, she was excited at the prospect of seeing more Lesley students on campus. While her days in costume are behind her, she cheered the alumni athletes and the new alliance between two schools that she loves.
“It feels like I’m bringing my two families together and I’m so excited to see where we can take this partnership,” she said.