A former Sachem standout has overcome more than her share of obstacles, and now she’s headed to the biggest stage in college lacrosse. Kristen Shanahan has played a major role in Maryland Terrapins women's lacrosse’s success this season, emerging as one of the team’s key contributors as they prepare for the NCAA Final Four.
Shanahan enters the national semifinals ranked second on the team in points while leading the Terrapins in assists, a testament to both her scoring ability and playmaking presence. Long before her collegiate success, she built a remarkable résumé at Sachem East High School, where she became one of the most decorated athletes in program history.
A 2020 graduate, Shanahan earned U.S. Lacrosse Third Team All-American honors as a junior in 2019 after scoring 57 goals and adding 12 assists. She was a two-time All-County selection, named to Inside Lacrosse’s 2020 Rising Stars list, and honored as a Newsday Player of the Year. She also excelled on the field hockey field, earning All-State recognition in both 2018 and 2019.
While her accomplishments are impressive, it is her resilience that truly stands out. Shanahan’s collegiate journey has been defined by perseverance through a series of injuries. After committing to University of Notre Dame, her freshman season was cut short before it began due to a torn ACL.
Following months of rehabilitation, she returned during her sophomore season, only to suffer a broken hip shortly after getting back on the field. Fully healthy as a junior, she appeared in 21 games, recorded her first collegiate hat trick against Butler, and finished with 25 goals.
Adversity struck yet again during her senior season, when she suffered another torn ACL along with a torn labrum in her hip. Still, Shanahan refused to let setbacks define her career. Returning for a graduate season, she captained the Irish, started all 14 games, and scored a career-high 27 goals.
For her final chapter, Shanahan transferred to Maryland for the 2026 season. Now, her journey continues as she and the No. 3 Terrapins head to the Final Four in Chicago over Memorial Day weekend, where they will face North Carolina Tar Heels women's lacrosse with a championship berth on the line.