Student-athletes have to make a decision on which college is best for them to advance their athletic and academic careers. Reilly Mahon is a senior at Westhampton Beach High School who verbally committed to Loyola University Maryland in the fall of her junior year to play Women’s lacrosse. Every year, 4,000 undergraduate students enroll at the private, catholic university in Baltimore, Maryland.

Reilly knew she wanted to continue her lacrosse career and play at the collegiate level. She played travel lacrosse for the Long Island Top Guns and five years of varsity lacrosse for WHBHS. For D1 NCAA lacrosse, schools and coaches are not allowed to reach out to players or give them offers until September 1st of their junior year. 

While reflecting back on her recruiting process, Reilly said, “I kept an open mind throughout my whole process and if you had asked me three years ago where I would be going, Loyola would be the opposite of my response.” 

When Loyola reached out to Reilly on September 1st and she took the opportunity to visit campus. Reilly said, “Right as I stepped on campus I knew that it was home to me. The environment, the people, teachers and coaches all made me realize how one on one they are with their students.”

Reilly’s goals are to get everything she can out of the next four years, to work herself to her full potential, learn from some of the best and grow as a player and a person. 

Academically, Reilly plans on completing four years at Loyola, studying communications. Loyola has many resources for their students to learn how to produce, film and write. She also hopes to minor in Spanish.

 Reilly has aspirations for after her four years at Loyola and said, “Hopefully I can get into a post graduate program for film so I can continue my dream of becoming a producer.” 

In only a few months, Reilly will move into her dorm at Loyola with a future teammate. She is most excited to meet new people and to grow as a person. The future Greyhound said, “I am also excited for the Patriot League Championships. Loyola has won (I think) three years in a row now, but I am pretty much excited for literally everything I’m about to endure.” 

Reilly is looking forward to many things at Loyola but is not looking forward to leaving her friends and family behind. She said, “ I love my family and they are my biggest supporters, especially my dad, who I believe will be at every single game.”

 Lastly, she will miss her friends and current teammates and the good food on Long Island. We wish Reilly lots of luck with her future as a Greyhound at Loyola University Maryland.