Chant of the Week: Kayla Downey

Jacob Bashura, Sports Desk Editor|March 31, 2023

Graphic by Jacob Bashura

Senior lacrosse player Kayla Downey is this week’s Chant of the Week by a long-shot after a nearly unbelievable four-game stretch.

Two weeks ago, Downey received ASUN conference player of the week honors for her 11 points in two wins over Boston and Iona. She scored eight goals and tallied three assists in the wins against both Boston and Iona Universities on March 7 and March 12, respectively.

Downey followed her big week with a school record-breaking performance Friday, March 18, against Marist University. The senior scored five goals and five assists in a single game to break Coastal Carolina’s record for most points scored by a player in one game.

This was just the beginning of accolades she racked up on Friday. She also broke her own career record, as this was the most points she had ever scored in a single game in her lacrosse career, and also scored her 150th career point.

For her exceptional performance on the 18th and her two goal, two assist game in the Chants’ 10-12 loss against Harvard University Tuesday, March 14, she was awarded ASUN player of the week honors for the second consecutive week.

With 50 points, Downey leads the ASUN conference, as she also does in assists with 20 and ranks third in goals at 30 as of the statistics following the 24 to 12 win March 20 at Campbell University. In the win, Downey scored another five goals and three assists, perhaps provoking consideration by the ASUN for yet another conference player of the week nod.

After catching fire these last few weeks, Downey has high hopes for the rest of her senior season.

“Win the ASUN championship and get to the tournament. That’s the plan,” she said.

Once she graduates, Downey plans on returning to her home town of Long Island, New York, to pursue a career in teaching and coaching.

“After school, I’m going to be a [physical education] teacher back in Long Island. I plan on coaching lacrosse, travel and for the school.

At six and three, Downey and her Chants look to move forward with the momentum they have been carrying throughout their successful start to the 2023 season.

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