Senior Goalie to Sign with Benedictine on April 11

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis senior goalie Maggie Pinkston will play at Division III Benedictine University outside Chicago next fall.

“I am excited to play in college because of the team,” said Pinkston. “It was a different environment. They are there because they want to be and love lacrosse. It made me super excited to go there.”

Benedictine is coached Kaitlyn Liccion, who led the program to a single-season school record victory total in her first season in 2017. The BenU Eagles play in the Midwest Women’s Lacrosse Conference and will move up to Division II after the 2018 season.

“I was not sure I wanted to play college lacrosse because of the time commitment and ready for the adjustments to be successful at that level, said Pinkston. “ But once I met the coach at Benedictine during my sophomore season and was offered a visit this summer, I changed my mind.”

The visit sold Pinkston right away and was a deciding factor in her decision.

“It had a different feeling than all the other campuses I visited,” recalled Pinkston. “I feel in love with the school and the team. I really liked the coach’s mentality towards how a sport should be played and how the athlete can participate.”

The main campus is located Lisle, Illinois. 

Pinkston, who lives in Rancho Murieta, is a three-year player on the varsity team after transferring from Elk Grove High School for her sophomore season. She has given up a career-best 6.3 goals per game while recording 85 saves over the first nine games.

“I am absolutely thrilled that Maggie is going to go on and play at the next level,” said St. Francis Head Coach Julia Southard. 

“She has a very special talent as a goalkeeper. I always say, good goalies keep your teams in games, but great goalies win games for your team.  Maggie has proven time and time again that she is a great goalie.  I am excited for her to continue her career in college, learn more about the game, and grow as an athlete.” 

Pinkston, who has five siblings and five step-siblings, picked up the game from her older brother, Brian. She first grabbed a stick in the eighth grade and has been playing ever since. Brian also serves as one of the team’s assistant coaches this season.

“I really like it,” said Pinkston of her family connection within the team. “I thought it would be difficult because he is my brother. In lacrosse terms, I have always looked up to him and he is the brother I have been closest too. We relate the most together. From 4-6 p.m., he is my coach. But before 4 and after 6 p.m., he is my brother. It is really cool. We have been able to find the in between. I will look back on it (fondly) when I am older.”

Pinkston, who trained rescue race horses when she was younger, will study business and marketing next season at BenU, but for now she is focusing on the stretch run for her team after spring break.

“This season I would like to form a special bond with my teammates and I want to leave my mark on the St. Francis lacrosse program as a goalie,” said Pinkston.

The Troubies have six more contests before the start of league playoffs.

Pinkston will join a group of 10 Troubadours participating in the St. Francis Spring Signing Day celebration on April 11.