Jessi Valerio Gougler left junior high school and thought that her brief two year career as a lacrosse player was over as her high school, Academy Park in Sharon Hill, Pa., did not offer the sport. Four years later, when the three-sport high school standout decided to play both field hockey and basketball at Cabrini, she discovered that the school was starting a team.

 

“During my senior year of high school, I was told that Cabrini would be offering women’s lacrosse as a club sport,” Gougler said. “I had already planned to play two sports there and since I had enjoyed the game of lacrosse, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to get to play.”

 

Following her first year with the Cavaliers, Gougler opted out of basketball, and it seems that she made a good decision.

 

Gougler, still the top career scoring leader in field hockey, ended her lacrosse career ranked second for all-time scoring with 146 goals and three All-PAC selections. Gougler helped the team to the title game of the conference championship in just the team’s second year of existence, before leading the Cavaliers to back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999.

 

And although the individual accolades rolled in, Gougler believes that the friendships she made were the best part of it all.

 

“We had an amazing group of girls and we shared such a strong bond. Everyone on those teams just ‘clicked’ and we all brought the best out in each other.”

 

“I was also lucky to have an unbelievable coach in Jackie Neary and much of our success was from her. We would not have succeeded the way that we did without her. Everyone loved to be around her and she made you feel so good about yourself. She constantly pushed us to work hard and never give up but most importantly, she was a great friend.”

 

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education, Gougler passed along the lessons she learned at Cabrini to others as she coached both field hockey and basketball while teaching elementary school. Gougler resides in Springfield with husband, Brian, and two sons, Brett (4) and Ty (2).