One in an occasional series.
Kayla Martello has been overlooked and underappreciated for much of her lacrosse career. She came out of Long Island, playing for Hempstead Sacred Heart Academy (N.Y.), a school which lives in the shadows of the established public-school lacrosse programs. SHA does not play in the prestigious public-school state tournament, but plays in the Catholic High School Athletic Association postseason bracket.
A scant few weeks ago, she led Boston College to only their second ACC Tournament championship, but was not named to the ACC All-Tournament Team. More recently, she was not chosen as one of the five finalists for the Tewaaraton Award, emblematic of the finest women’s college lacrosse player. Also, she was not named amongst the 16 players (three from Boston College) who are playing this summer in the Athletes Unlimited pro league.
But yesterday, she spoke with her stick. Her five goals paced Boston College to a comeback for the ages, and a national championship for B.C.
And also some individual recognition as she was named as the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
As she should. As she should.
