Villa Maria’s Bridget Finley is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week

The junior midfielder has been the Hurricanes’ offensive Most Valuable Player this spring, scoring more than 50 goals and dishing out more than 40 assists for the PIAA District 1 2A champions. Last year, as a sophomore attack, she helped Villa Maria win its first-ever PIAA state championship and receiving All-Main Line recognition. A three-sport athlete, Finley also participates in field hockey and indoor attack at Villa Maria. Off the field, she has participated in Student Council the past two years and recently was elected as the Executive Council Secretary for her senior year. 

Q: What in your opinion have been the biggest keys to your scoring proficiency this season?

A: I feel that the key to my scoring proficiency this season has been confidence. Since I worked so hard on my shot this past summer and fall, I have been able to finish many more shots that I may not  have been able to during my sophomore season. My team’s offense works so well together and we are all able to work off each other and find the open player. During this season, I have noticed that scoring comes so naturally to my team and we are all so talented to find the open cutters and also know the right time to cut to goal.

Q: What aspects of your game are you working on most currently?

A: I am working on my ability to dodge and drive to goal. I feel that it is a huge part of my game that I need to work on for my overall game to grow. I am also constantly working on my stick skills and trick shots that I can integrate into my game to throw off the defense.

Q: What was your most vivid memory of this year’s District 1 2A championship final? 

A: My most vivid memory was when we came out in the second half and went on a scoring run. We knew that we were just as good as Springfield, but we knew that we had to outhustle them and match their intensity in order to win. We came out in the second half and showed them that we wanted this more than they did. I also vividly remember when my teammate said to me, “This felt better than the State championship!” I totally agree with her because this was one of the closest and best games we have played all season.

Q: What is your favorite memory from last year’s PIAA 2A state championship final?

A: My favorite memory was when the horn sounded and we knew that we had won the first lacrosse state championship in school history. It meant so much to the team because we had worked so hard during the whole season. Beating a team the way we beat Kennard Dale put the icing on the cake to such a great season.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in lacrosse. What originally attracted you to lacrosse? Who have been your most important lacrosse mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?

A: I began playing lacrosse in third grade because I knew that I wanted to play a spring sport, but outdoor track and softball did not attract my interest so I decided to pick up a lacrosse stick. I remember when I first started playing and I was having a catch in my backyard with my sister and I fell in love with the game. My most important lacrosse mentor has been my older sister, Erin. Since I am a lefty and she is a righty, it has worked out whenever we have a pass because at least one of us is in our dominant hand at all times. I have learned so much from my sister about conditioning and being aggressive. Another one for my lacrosse mentors is Jamie Ortega. Although I have never met her, I am always watching her lacrosse highlights. I love watching her play because we are both lefty attackers who are always trying to either feed the ball or go to goal. I have learned so many small tricks from her that I have incorporated into my game.

Q: Briefly describe for us your pre-game preparation (physical, mental) on the day of a game.

A: Each game day, I always make sure I wear my lucky hair tie for home games and on away games,  I wear my lucky headband. I also always bring pretzels that my teammates and I munch on before the game starts. My team always hypes each other up on the bus rides to the away games which is so fun.

Q: You wear No. 28 for Villa Maria. Is there a reason you picked this number – does it have any significance to you?

A: I chose this number because my favorite number is four but since someone had the number four at the beginning of my freshman year, I decided to pick No. 28. I chose No. 28 because it is divisible by four. My sister and I have always done that with our uniforms,  and luckily it has worked out.

Fun facts – Bridget Finley

Favorite book: Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds.

Favorite movie: Titanic.

Favorite athlete: Pat Spencer.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Empire State of Mind.

Favorite team: Duke University men’s basketball.

Favorite place to visit: Aruba.

Favorite pre-game meal: Pretzels.

Person I most admire, and why: “I admire my sister, Erin. She has taught me so much and has shown me that you can accomplish so much. I truly admire how she does so well in school, lacrosse and is such a great leader. She has taught me to always do my best in everything I embark on.”

Family members: parents Vince and Marie, brother Vince, sister Erin.

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)