Rodgers heading to Virginia
JEFFERSON TWP — Lacrosse has been Paige Rodgers’ sport of choice for a while — and that’s not changing.
The Knoch senior — who also plays soccer and basketball for the Knights — recently signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and lacrosse career at the University of Virginia Wise. She plans to major in business and marketing.
“Lacrosse is my happy place. It’s my escape,” Rodgers said. “I just feel comfortable when I’m on the field.”
Rodgers also considered Robert Morris, Lafayette and Mount Olive before deciding on UVA Wise. She is a defender-midfielder who scored nearly 40 goals for a young Knoch team last spring.
“Paige is a dedicated student-athlete,” Knoch coach Megan Crawford said. “She’s a team player, a team leader. She was voted a captain by her teammates the past two years.
“We have a lot of first-year players in the program and they look up to her.”
Rodgers said she opted for UVA Wise because “I love the coaches and it’s a beautiful campus. When I visited there, it felt like home ... It just felt right.”
The Cavaliers, a Division II program, joined the South Atlantic Conference two years ago and are coming off a 7-9 season overall, 4-6 in SAC play. Meghan Dennehy is entering her ninth season as head coach and is the only head coach in program history.
Dennehy has 118 career wins in her coaching career. Prior to the COVID-19 year — which curtailed collegiate sports in 2020 — UVA Wise was a combined 50-20, 22-4 in Mountain East Conference play, from 2016-19. The Cavaliers won the MEC championship in 2018 and 2019.
Rodgers has been playing lacrosse since the age of 8. She has been a member of the Pittsburgh Premiere Lacrosse Club (PPLC) for the past few years.
“I always knew I wanted to play lacrosse in college,” she said.
Knoch athletic director Kurt Reiser described Rodgers as “a great student and a great person. She is one of the best athletes in our school.”
Rodgers did not single out any particular skills when describing her assets on the lacrosse field.
“Anything I’ve gotten has been through effort,” she said. “I never take a minute for granted when I’m playing. I go all-out, 110 percent, all the time. I got that from my parents. Always give your best.”
Crawford anticipates further success for Rodgers once she moves on to college.
“I’m very happy for her,” the coach said. “Paige will relish the college experience. She mainly plays midfield for us, but she can play multiple positions on the field. Paige is an extremely versatile athlete. She runs fast and plays fast.”
Rodgers was named team MVP for Knoch girls lacrosse last season.
Once she arrives on campus next year, Rodgers is hopeful of making a quick impact on the UVA Wise program.
“I’m going to work hard and try to become a starter my first year,” she said. “I want to become a member of their lacrosse family and help the team excel.
“Whatever they need me to do to help, I’ll do.”
