Trainor Wants a Banner Day for Holliston Girls’ Lacrosse

Lily Trainor’s lacrosse career at Holliston High will end in June, and when that time arrives, she’s hoping it’ll be a banner day. For two reasons.
The 17-year-old senior would like to see a banner in the high school gym recognizing a championship season for the Panthers. And, she wouldn’t mind seeing a banner that would highlight her for scoring 200 career goals and 300 career points. Both situations could occur this spring.
Trainor, who’s one of the area’s top lacrosse players, has scored 144 career goals and has 76 career assists. She’s been a Tri Valley League and Metrowest News all-star for three years, twice was a Boston Globe selection and was a second-team choice by the Eastern Mass. Lacrosse Coaches Association. Last November, she signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Vermont on scholarship.
“When I walk into the gym, I see banners for many teams, but none for lacrosse,’’ Trainor said. “I’m itching to change that. It’ll be an uphill battle, but we’ll compete hard to win the TVL Small Division championship or possibly a Sectional title. A banner would be displayed if Holliston someday has a player who scores 200 goals and gets 300 total points. That would be an honor, because it would symbolize all the hours and all the effort I’ve made at practice. But, what’s more important is to win games and to see our team flourish.’’
Since Trainor joined the Panthers’ varsity as a freshman, she’s started 55 of 56 games. Her first two seasons ended with 3-15 and 7-11 records, which made it 10 straight years that Holliston failed to qualify for the playoffs. Last year, however, with Trainor scoring 73 goals and assisting on 35 others, the Panthers finished 10-8 and advanced to the second round of the tourney, beating Apponequet first, then losing to Wayland.
“My goals this year are for our team to improve on last year’s record, qualify for the tourney and advance as far as possible,’’ she emphasized. “We’ve got 10 starters back who are experienced, and we have a strong freshman group. We’ve got talent, a strong work ethic and team chemistry. Westwood and Medfield will be strong in our division, and they’ll be the teams to beat.’’
Selected as a captain, the 5-foot-2 Trainor should be dynamic in that role. She hopes to lead by example and by being vocal. “I’ll be vocal in a positive way,’’ she said. “On the field, I want to lead by example. Overall, I’ll be supportive of all the players.’’
Three teammates she’s believes will be prime contributors are the other senior captains — Emma Sawyers, Grace Inman and Audrey Givens. “They all give 110 percent, they hustle, they’re skilled, and they focus on what’s best for the team,’’ said Trainor, who’s played club lacrosse for seven years.
Playing attack, Trainor has some assets, too, and they’re not just scoring goals. She’s got a high lacrosse IQ, has good field vision, is fast, quick, strong, skilled and mentally tough. “I also take draws,’’ she noted. “I compete aggressively, but it’s a controlled style. Where I can improve is getting to more ground balls, forcing more turnovers and being better in transition.’’
Trainor’s best game so far was a 17-16 loss to Medway in the Panthers’ opening-day game last year. “Medway is always tough, but we bonded together, worked hard and everyone contributed,’’ she recalled. “I was fortunate to score seven goals, but we lost in overtime. My top thrill in lacrosse was being named a captain for my final season. It’s nice to get all-star recognition, but being chosen a captain by my teammates shows they have confidence in me, and it also gives me confidence.’’
A high-honor student, Trainor is eager for her season at Holliston to get underway, but she’s also delighted her future in lacrosse will be unfolding at the University of Vermont. “I’m thrilled with my decision to play and study there,’’ she said. “I chose the school because of its academics. I also like the campus and the college town atmosphere. Head coach Sarah Dalton was very welcoming and indicated I can play a role there and have an impact.’’
Trainor, who’ll major in business and minor in sports management, is acutely aware that playing collegiately will involve a transition. “The speed of the game will be faster and the players I’ll face will be stronger and more skilled,’’ she said. “Opposing players likely will have been high school all-stars.’’
Trainor, who played soccer for three seasons at Holliston, competed on defense at center and outside back. And, she got a flavor of tourney play all three years. “My most memorable game was against Duxbury as a sophomore,’’ she recalled. “We won it on penalty kicks.’’
It’s lacrosse, however, that’s won her heart, and it’s a sport that she might never have known if she remained in Gao An, an economically-deprived city in central China. Trainor was adopted as a seven-month-old by Tom and Julie Trainor, who traveled to China to meet their new daughter.
“I was found in a box outside a flower shop,’’ she said. “I never knew my biological parents. Turned over to a government agency, I later was adopted and came to America. If I wasn’t adopted, chances are that I never would have been involved with lacrosse. I love my parents, and I’m really happy I discovered lacrosse when I was eight years old. It’s opened a lot of possibilities for me.’’
Lacrosse has also helped Trainor learn valuable life lessons and has sharpened her competitive philosophy. “Playing sports teaches things like how to be leaders, to communicate, be responsible, overcome adversity, to set goals, work hard and how to manage your time,’’ she noted. “I also realize that if I’m enjoying a sport and reaching my potential, then winning will follow.’’