BUZZARDS BAY, Mass – At the end of every sports season, traditionally prior the final regular season home game, we honor our senior student-athletes for their contributions to their respective programs prior to playing their final home game at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. With the current global climate and spring seasons being cancelled our seniors had the opportunity to walk on the field they have played on at the Academy with their family taken away from them. In honor of our seniors we would like to take the time to recognize them and their time as a Buccaneer.

We begin our virtual senior celebrations with women's lacrosse. The team's senior day would have been Saturday, April 18^th against MCLA at Clean Harbors Stadium. The Buccaneer women's lacrosse team had two seniors in 2020. Both have been impact players their entire careers, especially in 2019 helping the team to a 9-7 regular season finish, the first winning season in the eight year history of the program. Their 3-4 conference record secured them the 5^th season in the MASCAC playoffs, the second playoff appearance in program history.

First up is captain, #16, Cammi Balentine. An attacker and an International Maritime Business Major from Haverhill, mass, Cammi made significant contributions to the Buccaneers. She started in 47 of 48 games played scoring 58 goals and racked up 29 assists in her career for a total of 87 points. She picked up 72 ground balls and caused 31 turnovers. Though the 2020 season was short, Balentine scored seven goals and had 10 assists. Her 10 assists were second best in the MASCAC behind only teammate Alyssa Blumenthal. Cammi has made her mark on the program finishing her career 7th All-Time in career goals, 5^th all-time in career assists and 6^th all-time in career points.

"Cammi Balentine has been a great asset to the program. We have been extremely fortunate to have someone of her caliber on our team." Head coach Marc Palombo said. "In her first year she was a bit shy but once she picked up the concept of going to net, she excelled. I remember restringing her net saying to her 'you'll score 20 goals with that stick.' She went on to score 28." Added Palombo. "Thank you for the last three and a half years!"

Thank you to Cammi and her family for your continued and unconditional dedication to the women's lacrosse program and Massachusetts Maritime Academy. All of us will miss not only seeing Cammi take the field for the Bucs but will also miss her father Gary in the stands cheering and occasionally dancing.

Next and finally is #17, Heather Seggelin. The midfielder from Sharon, Mass has made impressive contributions to the Buccaneer women's lacrosse program. Thought she only played three seasons for the Bucs, she started in 25 games of the 28 she played. In her career she scored 14 goals and had three assists. She picked up 49 ground balls and caused 30 turnovers. In three games in 2020 she had scored four goals and picked up 10 ground balls. Seggelin took 33 shots in her career, 31 of which were on target, for an astounding 93.9% shots on goal average. In addition to her contributions on the field, Heather has made an impact off the field and in the Regiment serving as the Academy's Regimental Training and Retention Officer, one of the highest ranking positions a student can hold at the academy. Heather also serves as a reservist in the Army National Guard and is a member of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy ROTC program.

"Heather has been an absolute pleasure to have on our team. She has amazing stick skills and is good on ground balls." Said Head Coach Marc Palombo. "Driving in to practice every day I would see Heather running. I would think 'wow', this girl is a competitor; she runs a few miles and then comes and runs for a whole practice." Added Palombo. "Heather, thank you for all of the great memories and congratulations on four great years at the Academy. Thank you for your service to our country. God Speed."

Echoing the words of Coach Palombo, thank you Heather for your hard work and dedication to the program, the Academy, and our country.

Cammi and Heather represent a class of athletes who unfortunately had their senior seasons cut shorts. Though the season was not completed your time on the field you did have in 2020 will always be remembered.

The teammates of these two young women had nothing but incredible things to say about each of them. Over on the women's lacrosse Instagram (@massmaritimewlax) you can find a video of each of these student-athletes with interviews and words of wisdom from teammates and coaches.

Senior Days are so bittersweet as we celebrate your careers but also say good bye, for now. Congratulations on outstanding careers as Buccaneers and good luck with all of your endeavors in the future.