Siena Lacrosse’s Dobrzynski breaks records as a feeder

No player in Division I women’s lacrosse has had more assists this season than Siena’s Grace Dobrzynski.

Dobrzynski has set all kinds of records in her third season with the Saints: MAAC assists in a single season and the most assists in Siena program history.

“It was so much fun learning about those types of roles,” said Dobrzynski, a junior forward for the Saints. “And to play a specific role in this team is really exciting. And I’ve always tried to learn as much as I can and grow in that role.”

Dobrzynski wasn’t always a distributor. Growing up in Rhode Island, she was more of a scorer. Dobrzynski grew up playing lacrosse with her two older brothers, who also competed at the college level.

“I practiced, played with them and shot at male goalies,” she said. “Things like that were definitely always a challenge. And they pushed me. I think I’ve grown so much just learning from them, I really do.

When it was her turn to decide which college she would continue her lacrosse career at, it was Siena and the Albany Medical College Science and Humanities program that drew her to the Capital Region.

“My parents are both doctors, and my grandfather was a doctor too,” Dobrzynski said. “I certainly had a lot to do with the medical world during my upbringing. And I was always curious, but that background allowed me to delve into it much more.”

When Dobrzynski began her journey to become a doctor, she quickly adapted on the field. From the start, she has established herself as the feeder and helped create a dominant offense.

“Grace is constantly growing and learning in her role,” said Danielle Schwan-Tetreault, Siena head coach. ‘She really put a lot of pressure on in that situation, and she handled it well. I just think she’s getting better in her decision making every year.

Dealing with adversity on and off the field has given Dobrzynski a lot of confidence – and she still has one year of eligibility remaining.

“Every year I’ve had the support of my other teammates and my coaches,” Dobrzynski said. “It just very gradually evolved into the person into the leader that I hope to become.”