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Farmingdale grad shines for Hofstra women's lacrosse
Hillier finished her career second all-time in program history in points (215), tied for first in assists (82), fifth in ground balls (120), ninth in caused turnovers (42) and second in draw controls (143). The Farmingdale High School graduate also tallied 82 assists tying her for second in Hofstra history with 2001 graduate Kathleen McPike. Hillier led Hofstra to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title giving the Pride their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001. The senior attackman's six points (four goals and two assists) in Hofstra's 12-9 win over 8th ranked James Madison (JMU) in the regular season conference finale on April 27 allowed the Pride to host the entire CAA playoffs which they won with a 15-13 triumph in a re-match with JMU allowing the Farmingdale High School graduate to continue playing the sport she loves and for the team she has developed a close bond with. "I can't imagine my life without playing with these girls," said Hillier of how she did not want to see her college career come to an end. Hillier's lacrosse career did not begin until entering Farmingdale High School as a freshman and a friend convinced her to try out for the team. Hillier, who also played four years of basketball and soccer at Farmingdale, rapidly learned the fundamentals of girls' lacrosse making the Dalers varsity squad as only a freshman and being part of a team that made it to the Nassau County semi-finals. Farmingdale proceeded to win the Nassau County title in 2001 and in her junior season won the Long Island championship before falling in the state finals and in Hillier's four year high school career she was named All-American twice and earned All-Nassau County accolades three times in addition to being a Scholar-Athlete Award recipient. Hillier's successful high school career got the attention of college women's lacrosse coaches with offers coming from Syracuse, Virginia and Delaware. Hillier picked Hofstra in large part to being comfortable with the coaching staff and players on her recruiting visit in addition to having the chance to play only 10 minutes from her Massapequa Park home giving the family a chance to see her play. "It's like the best of both worlds," said Hillier, who dorms at Hofstra, of having a chance to play college women's lacrosse so close to where she grew up. Hillier has shined at Hofstra winning numerous awards including being first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association four times, selected Second Team All- American in 2006 and winning CAA Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman in 2004 but she says the accolades would not have been possible without the hard work of the entire team."I would not be where I am without these girls," said Hillier of the importance of her teammates. "When the team needs her to take the team on her shoulders she does it freely," said Hofstra head coach Abby Morgan. "She is the least selfish player you'll ever meet." Part of Hillier's unselfish attitude during her career was evidenced by the fact she gets more excited about tallying an assist then scoring goals according to Morgan. Hillier's combination of goals and assists added up and she moved past McPike into second place as the school's all time points leader with 215. Hillier was part of a senior class that broke the Hofstra record for wins over a four-year period with 45. A major part of Hillier's success has come from her work ethic which included running and lifting in the off-season and after practice. "I'm a little bit of workout freak," joked Hillier on how she managed to stay in top-top shape in order to play nearly the entire 60 minutes of each game. When Hofstra had the lead late in a game Hillier can be seen with possession dodging and escaping defenders with her speed and agility allowing the Pride to run out the clock. "She is a specimen," said Coach Morgan of Hillier's athletic ability. "The end of the game is when she really takes over." Unlike men's lacrosse which has both an outdoor and indoor professional league, there is no next level for women's lacrosse. That means Hillier's career playing the sport she loves for the last seven years comes to an end. However Hillier, a psychology major, plans to never be far from the lacrosse field and hopes to coach the sport she loved starting next year. She has gotten a head start on her career leading teams from the sidelines by running lacrosse clinics in addition to coaching the Long Island Yellow Jackets team youth team last summer.
"I don't ever want to be away from the sport," she said.
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