Allison Finley and Kate Moore, also known as the dynamic duo, have committed to their dream colleges where they will be continuing their academic and athletic careers.

Finley, a Junior at Oakdale, will be attending West Point Army to study pre-vet in hopes of pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian, as she will also be playing lacrosse. The main reason she committed to West Point were benefits and experiences she would be exposed to while playing lacrosse. She believes she wouldn’t find that at a regular college.

She has been playing lacrosse for six years now, when she isn’t playing for the school, she plays for 3D Maryland. She explains, “I fell in love with lacrosse with the speed of the sport, the physicality, and competitiveness of the game.” Finley also plays Field Hockey for OHS and joined the team to stay in shape for the lacrosse season.

Erika Thompson, Oakdale’s Girls Lacrosse Head Coach, has been coaching the girls for almost six years. Thompson has not only been Finley’s high school coach, but she also coached her in elementary and middle school as her club coach. Last year, she quadrupled the number of assists she had from her freshman year. Thompson claims this speaks volumes on how she has learned to see the field and gotten to know her teammates.

Junior Kate Moore is one of Finley’s closest friends and teammates. They have been friends for years and have been playing lacrosse together since seventh grade. Moore speaks of Finley’s leadership on and off the field, “She continuously pushes me to be the best version of myself each and every day. Her competitiveness drives me to do more; she always gives one hundred percent no matter the circumstances, making me do the same.”

Moore has also committed to her dream school, Virginia Commonwealth University. She chose this school because she loved the environment and those who would be surrounding her there. She also committed because the prospect camp made her feel as though all the recruiting pieces had easily all clicked together. She shares, ”When I went on my visit it had already felt like a very welcoming home to me, I loved the coaches and the team chemistry that they have going on there.”

Coach Thompson had the pleasure of coaching Moore her freshman and sophomore year when on varsity. Thompson stated Moore has found her niche on the draw circle, “With 54 draw controls last year, she not only more than doubled her amount from Freshman year, she held a top spot in the county as well.”

Both girls emphasize how doing well in school is their number one priority because if they don’t get good grades or fall behind in work, they won’t be able to perform and play the sports they love successfully. Finley mentioned how in ‘student athlete,’ the student comes first. Finely inputs, “Don’t be discouraged by tough times in sports. Whether it’s having a bad coach, toxic teammates, or hard losses,remembering why you’re playing the sport at the top of your mind will get you through it.”

Moore replied with, “Always keep your head up. Your biggest competition is yourself, not the game. Your greatest asset is your mindset and if you stay positive you will be guaranteed to have a worthwhile outcome.” Congratulations Kate and Allison, the Oakdale community is proud of you both!