Ithaca’s Maddie Hall gets set for lacrosse season at IC

The 2024 season was one to remember for the Ithaca College women’s lacrosse team. The Bombers finished with a staggering 18-2 record, captured their first-ever Liberty League title, and made it all the way to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. The triumph hit close to home for one of their players—in the most literal sense possible—and she’s aiming to help repeat the Bombers’ success this spring in her own backyard.

Maddie Hall was a key contributor to the Bombers last season as a junior, recording nine goals and two assists in 17 games. The Ithaca native pointed to their strong chemistry they built throughout that special season, and it’s been more of the same heading into the 2025 campaign.

“We’re doing that same thing just building that chemistry between people this preseason,” Hall said. “From there, that’s how you get those offensive sets. We’re on the same page and just able to see things the same way. I think we’re trying to build that same chemistry this year that we had last year to be able to do that.”

Given all the glory they had last time out, the Bombers will undoubtedly have a giant target on their back this year, made even greater as they enter as the 15th-ranked team in the nation by USA Lacrosse Magazine. While Hall is well aware of the increased attention, they’re more focused on themselves.

“We’ve got that target on our back for sure, but I think at the same time, [we’re] just putting our heads down and trying not to look too far ahead instead of where we are now,” Hall said. “We have to work from the bottom up. We’ve got to win these first two games and just keep going from there. We can’t really look too far ahead in terms of doing the same thing again, so I think definitely [it’s] just putting our heads down. We can’t really be complacent again this season.”

Now as a senior, Hall will no doubt see an increased role in the team, particularly in terms of leadership. That has already been on full display throughout the preseason.

“Me and other seniors, I think [we’re] just becoming more vocal with that leadership,” Hall said. “We’re the top line in terms of leadership now, it’s crazy to say. But we’re all just being more vocal and being more positive. We’re all just  pushing for that positive attitude, hard work, just being vocal with that message and that leadership.”

Not only has her leadership presence grown during her time on South Hill, but there are also many elements of her game that have improved.

“I’m seeing the field a little more,” Hall said. “I think that obviously comes with playing more lacrosse over the years, but [it’s] just being able to see the bigger picture a little bit instead of just focusing on play to play. I think [I’m] seeing the whole scheme of things and the whole eight[-meter arc]. Being able to see the overall kind of picture, seeing the personnel and strategizing as a whole has improved for me as I’ve grown these past few years.”

Hall wasn’t the only Little Red girls lacrosse alum who’s coming off a conference championship. Zoe Congdon helped Binghamton win its first-ever America East title, and Shea Baker helped Boston College capture the ACC title and the national championship. Given the trio’s recent triumph in college, it’s no surprise that they won multiple sectional titles in high school. Not only has that winning pedigree carried over to Ithaca College, there were many other important things she learned at IHS that have also translated.

“I think [it’s] that hard work, putting your head down and doing the work,” Hall said. “We’re always doing stuff kind of outside of lacrosse. We had that strong connection as well, and the same here at IC. Outside of lacrosse, we’re all very close. So I think [it’s] that off the field and on the field relationship and hard work and putting your head down and being there for your teammates.”

Hall and the Bombers are hoping to make it back to the Liberty League championship game on May 4. But as with all great teams, they’re not looking far ahead whatsoever. The day-to-day improvement is the ultimate priority.

“We can’t be complacent,” Hall said. “We can’t just assume it’ll happen again by any means. I think we’ve got some really strong teams this year coming in, but [we’re] not getting too caught up in all the ratings and everything like that. I think [we’re] just sticking with ourselves as a team and focusing on the work we have to do within our team to elevate our play. I think [it’s] not being complacent and just putting our heads down and getting the hard work in with these first two games and just work our way up from there.”