Libby Flaisher ‘25
Senior Lex Ventresca’s passion for lacrosse sparked during her early childhood when she was introduced to the sport by her mother. She even wears the number 22 on the back of her jersey in honor of her mother’s birthday. Ventresca joined her first recreational team in first grade and later continued to play for her club team, HHH Girls Lacrosse, where she currently helps out as a coach.
Ventresca arrived at EA in III form, but her first spring season was cut short due to the pandemic. By her sophomore year, Ventresca earned a spot on varsity and has since played a significant role on Head Coach Josie Tomaino’s team. This season, she is co-captain with seniors Molly Delaney and Franny Gallagher.
Even though EA is the furthest from her home among the high schools she applied to, Ventresca chose EA because she knew it was the perfect place for her. She says, “I wanted to play for a really strong program that would make me better and challenge me over the years, and EA lacrosse definitely does that. I also loved the team culture and environment. The girls are all so amazing and we grow so close every season.”
Tomaino adds, “She has a lot of interests and passions. She’s musically talented, academically strong, and also a three-sport captain here, which is very impressive. I think she was looking for [a school] that would accommodate all of her strengths.”
Ventresca plays as an attacker, which suits her perfectly as she thrives under the intensity and pressure of knowing she and her teammates must score when the game is on the line. Not only does Ventresca play attack, but she also takes the draw. She remarks, “I love taking the draw. The team that wins the draw wins the game, so that possession for the team is crucial.”
Ventresca is known for her highly outgoing, kind, and passionate personality. Maura Irish ’25 comments, “I met Lex going into my first year of preseason for field hockey, and she was immediately so welcoming and kind.” On the other hand, when she steps on a lacrosse field, she becomes an aggressive and fierce competitor with an electric energy who is always focused on winning. Tomaino explains, “Lex is really hard to stop, and if you think for a second that she’s not a threat, she’s going to make you pay for that.”
In anticipation for her leading role as captain,Ventresca remarks, “I am looking forward to learning more about my leadership position because I’ve been captain for field hockey and track, but I know this is a very different group of girls. Everyone has such high caliber and talent, and I want to find the best way to lead the team with my co-captains.”
Tomaino also praises Ventresca’s leadership skills, saying, “Lex is a leader on the sideline, in our huddles, and in the locker room, so I’ve relied on and trusted her to carry out our team culture. She’s also very approachable and accessible to the underclassmen, so they feel comfortable talking to her.” Irish adds, “Her attitude is super positive and uplifting, which rubs off on all of us. But at the same time, she knows when she needs to be serious, which is a perfect balance for a leader.”
Ventresca is a major threat on the field, as she is crafty with her stickwork around the net and utilizes her strategic game IQ at all times. Irish states, “Her best skills are shown around the crease. She somehow finds a way to put the ball in the back of the net from the craziest and most difficult angles.”
Tomaino also remarks, “Lex has improved immensely, especially during last season and over this past summer. I was really proud of her because sometimes you don’t see the growth quite as much in your top players because they’re already so successful and talented, but I really saw a major difference in her level of play.” For the 2022 season, Ventresca was awarded the John A. Harter Most Improved Award.
Ventresca notes her goals for the season, remarking, “It’s always our goal to win the Inter-Ac and go undefeated, and we have all been working so hard together, so I know we can do it this year. Obviously, there could be some bumps along the way, but we will learn from them and finish out on top.”
Ventresca committed to play lacrosse on the women’s team at Northwestern University (in Evanston, Illinois) earlier this year, where she is excited to start the next phase of her academic and lacrosse careers. She comments, “It’s really rewarding to find a program that recognizes your potential and believes in you. It’s also an entirely new motivation for me to improve and prove myself to everybody.”
Photo courtesy of Saige Forbes ’23
She continues, “I’ve finally found the perfect college for me, with a great team culture and coaches that really want to bring out the best in you during the four years. I’ve always dreamed of playing at the collegiate level and competing in Final Four Weekend.” Coach Tomaino says, “Regardless of how she does statistically, her playing time, or her place on the team, I just want her to continue to love lacrosse for all four years at Northwestern and for the rest of her life.”