Dudley hopes to see Manchester Central girls lacrosse continue to grow

Emma Dudley had always played lacrosse with girls who were older than her.

When she first arrived at Manchester Central High School, her talent and ability not only helped her make varsity as a freshman, it also earned her Division I all-state honors.

But when Dudley first started playing, she was stuck playing with older groups because there wasn’t enough kids her own age.

“I remember starting and we could barely form age groups,” she said. “I was playing at higher levels, with girls two or three years older than me.”

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Last season, Central had one of its best year’s in recent memory, going 7-7 and missing out on the Division I playoffs on a tiebreaker. With nine seniors returning, the Little Green were hopeful for the 2020 season, seeing a playoff spot as the potential next step.

“We have girls coming up through the high school,” Dudley said. “For sure, it’s the growth of the sport and we’re promoting it more. When girls starts to see it, that the teams are successful, they want to be a part of that.”

Although Dudley’s final high school season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she and Central coach Erin Duffy believe the Little Green are on the right track.

“Teams always have cycles,” Duffy said. “We at least have a couple more strong seasons in us. You take a hit not being able to play together for a whole spring, and losing nine seniors, next year will be more of a rebuilding year.”

Central was in that spot when Dudley came in and started playing with the varsity as a freshman.

“She has been a contributor from the beginning,” Duffy said of Dudley. “She came in with a lot of skill and passion. She contributed statistically right away and as a presence on the field.

“There’s such a different sense of pressure when it comes to high school versus (playing for) a club team. I also got to see her really grow and mature.”

While she tried other sports, and other extracurricular activities, lacrosse was always what that drew Dudley back.

“I used to dance, I tried soccer, I played field hockey in high school, but lacrosse was the only sport that stuck,” she said. “The competitiveness, the fast pace of it, I’m somebody who likes to keep going and be active. It gave me an opportunity to be a part of a family and a team.”

Having a player who saw lacrosse as her top sport was a big boost for Duffy.

“In a city like Manchester, a lot of players, they play (lacrosse) as their secondary sport or just for fun,” she said. “She is really intense and she cares a lot. Having a player like Emma who does play year round, it was great to have that level of dedication.”

Dudley’s dedication helped her when it came time to choosing where she wanted to continue playing in college and led her to Florida Southern College, in Lakeland, Fla.

“To start, I didn’t know where I wanted to go, I just wanted to go somewhere hot,” she said. “I started reaching out to coaches. Florida Southern was never one of my top choices, but I went down there for a tour and I fell in love with the campus.

“I started talking to the coaches and I loved the way they coached and promoted family and a close community.”

Duffy was excited to see Dudley’s hard work pay off and to know that she’s still going to have an opportunity to play lacrosse beyond high school.

“It’s so great seeing the work she has put in and seeing her get to bring that home to commit to a great school,” the coach said. “Her passion, her intensity, her field sense, those all made her a successful player.”