McKee scores 100^th goal for school LAX program

When Bellefonte Area High School senior Molly McKee scored on a penalty shot April 5 in a game against Selinsgrove, it not only helped secure the Red Raiders’ 18-11 win, but also came as her 100^th goal for the lacrosse team, making McKee the first in program history to do so.

But the moment for McKee wasn’t out of the ordinary. After all, she said she was just trying to help the team take the lead and ultimately win.

“They have been a really big rival for us,” she said. “It felt really good to beat them, but I didn’t even realize it was the 100^th until all my teammates came up to me. I just feel like it’s really awesome for the program, and hope it sets a goal for others that they can do it too and that it’s achievable.”

McKee, an attacker, has been playing lacrosse since fourth grade and said it was a special moment in middle school when her father, who is also the coach, worked to create a team at the district.

“It’s really cool having my biggest support also be my coach,” she said.

Lacrosse was approved by the school board in 2018 as a school-sponsored varsity program; the spring 2019 season was the inaugural year. And being a new sport to the school, McKee hopes it doesn’t deter others from joining.

“Don’t stray away from it just because its new or not typical, like baseball or softball,” she said. “There is gratification of being a part of a team and a sport that is more gritty. Combining all those things together makes it really special.”

McKee also committed to playing lacrosse at Mount Aloysius, while also aspiring to study environmental sciences. She said she settled on the Cresson-based college because she feels like she can get a good degree and a good athletic career at a school that meets various other needs.

To see an interview from the April 5 game, visit this link from the CDT: McKee interview

*By Brit Milazzo, public relations director, BASD