In a recent girls lacrosse game against Bethel Park, senior Addison Giglione shined, blocking over 20 shots.
Because of this, Giglione earned the team’s player of the game honor, which comes with a helmet with the word “grit” on it.
“She got the “grit” player of the game because she had so many saves, which kept the game extremely competitive for us,” senior Aliza Very said.
Baldwin lost this game against Bethel Park, 16-7. But Giglione was happy with her game.
“I was proud of myself,” Giglione said. “We weren’t able to pull out the win on that one, but you know, it happens.”
Giglione originally started playing the sport in middle school with inspiration from her friends.
“I started playing in sixth grade because I played soccer, but I wanted to try another sport,” Giglione said. “Soccer is mainly in the fall, and I started because my friend Aliza Very asked if I wanted to play with her.”
After playing goalie in soccer for years, when Giglione began lacrosse, goalie was a natural position for her.
“There wasn’t any specific reason,” Giglione said. “I played the position at soccer and I didn’t realize how much I was actually going to love it.”
Giglione enjoys the sport because of the engaging aspect that comes with playing goalie.
“I’ve been playing it for so long, so it’s nostalgic to me at this point,” Giglione said. “You face constant shots, and I feel like I really am able to be a key part of the team.”
The team is currently 4-6, with a better record than previous years. One key to success was the team’s new head coach.
“We got a new coach (Katelyn McCallister) this year, and she’s been awesome, and we have also been focusing more defensively this year because we also got a defensive coach (Connor Sidoruk), which has been a huge help,” Giglione said. “Overall, all of the girls have just really worked hard and stepped it up from last season, making us successful.”
Junior Lexie Iwaniuk recognizes Giglione’s motivation.
“She takes the game seriously and doesn’t give up. She doesn’t get down on herself, which is definitely hard not to do after letting in goals,” Iwaniuk said. “She doesn’t let it get to her, builds her confidence up, and helps all of us, especially our defense, keeping our energy up, too.”
Giglione brings many talents to the field, Very said.
“Addison has extremely quick reaction time and is able to throw the ball far,” Very said. “She also doesn’t get in her own head, and she brushes mistakes off easily, which helps her.”
Iwaniuk, who plays defense, has many other notable memories with her.
“My favorites are definitely just her giving defense pep talks,” Iwaniuk said. “The pregame talks before and us talking between quarters and goals always keeps me motivated.”
Cheering Giglione on during games is a highlight for Very.
“Whenever she makes a good save, celebrating on the field is very memorable for everyone,” Very said.
The key to success for Giglione is determination, Iwaniuk said.
“She makes a lot of good saves, and even when she does let something in, she doesn’t get down on herself,” she said.
Giglione looks up to Baldwin’s goalie coach, Hannah Sieger, because she played lacrosse in college at the Division 1 level at Virginia ch.Tech.
While Giglione does not intend to play lacrosse at the college level, she is happy as she reflects on her lacrosse career.
“I’m sad to go,” Giglione said. “It’s taught me so many things about perseverance and work ethic that I know will support me on the rest of my journey.”
