While it is impressive for high school athletes to commit to a university to play a sport, it’s even more remarkable when they’ve done this as a junior and have made a significant impact on the field.
Junior Dakota Acello committed to play Division 1 Girls Lacrosse at UMass Lowell on September 30th. Acello has been the goalie on the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team since her freshman year.
In the 2024 lacrosse season alone, Acello recorded 180 saves, won Player of the Game three times, and achieved a ranking of 10th in the state.
Acello has left a lasting impact on the varsity team and serves as an inspiration and role model to many other lacrosse players.
“Dakota has quietly worked her way to become one of the top goalies in the state,” Varsity Coach Catherine Catanzaro said. “Her quiet demeanor and calming presence are some of the things that make her an excellent goalie.”
Acello has been playing lacrosse for six years and has always put in the work to make herself a better player. Her consistent dedication in practice has helped push her limits and elevate her skills on the field.
“I chose UMass Lowell because I loved the campus and the coaches,” Acello said. “I am looking forward to playing against high level teams.”
With an impressive 19 wins and 7 losses in their 2024 season, the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team had a commendable season. Placing 4th at state, the varsity team is looking for revenge for their 2025 season.
Acello, as a key player, significantly contributes to the team’s achievements and is determined to lead her team to even greater heights in the upcoming season. Her skills and dedication will be essential as they aim to place higher this upcoming year
“She works so hard both on and off the field, and her dedication to lacrosse is super inspiring,” teammate Sydney Keck said. “She is always encouraging and never fails to cheer me up.”
Acello excels not only on the field, but also in the classroom. With an overall GPA of 4.7 and currently enrolled in AP classes, she manages to balance her academic responsibilities with her athletic commitments.
This exceptional ability to juggle both aspects of her life showcases her dedication, discipline, and strong work ethic, making her a true role model for her peers.
Acello’s commitment to excel reflects her ambition and determination to succeed.
“She is very focused in study hall and always comes in and gets all her work done,” study hall supervisor Dawn Neal said.
So far, Dakota shares her favorite memory with the team is “beating Hinsdale on the home turf last season.” That victory was not only a testament to the team’s hard work and teamwork, but also a moment that strengthened their bond as a team.
With her dedication to improving her skills in lacrosse and her commitment to academic excellence, Acello exemplifies what it means to be a well-rounded individual. As she steps into a role of an upperclassman, she is motivated to inspire those around her and continue to achieve greatness to set her up for her future after LFHS.
