Leading a hectic life, Francesca Pizzigoni, or “Frenchy,” as her teammates call her, stays calm and collected.
A math and secondary education major, Pizzigoni is a senior midfielder on the women’s lacrosse team. She has been playing lacrosse for eight years. She was also a cheerleader for 13 years.
Pizzigoni has overcome three surgeries on her arm and is still able to play at a high level.
When she is not living on campus, Pizzigoni resides in Summerset County, N.J.
Throughout her four years at Cabrini, Pizzigoni has had very fond memories that she will keep with her forever as she moves onto bigger and better things in her life.
“It’s been fun,” Pizzigoni said. “It took a little while [to get used to college life] because Cabrini is so small but I’m almost out and it’s been great. Not that many people that I started college with are here anymore because they transferred, but I made it.”
“My mom found [Cabrini] online. Cabrini is a Division III school so I knew I could play lacrosse. It was also known for its education so that was a pretty good combination. I’m also in the honors program so that added to it.”
Aside from playing lacrosse, Pizzigoni is the president of the math club, the math and science honors society, Sigma Zeta and Sigma Rho, which is the education honors society.
Pizzigoni is now a student math teacher at Radnor High School and talked about a normal day in her life.
“I get up at 6 a.m. and leave by seven,” Pizzigoni said. “I teach two trigonometry classes, two algebra classes and one geometry class. I’m usually done around 2:45 p.m. and then go to practice and write lesson plans.”
She says that teaching high school is something she has always wanted to do.
She also says in order to be a teacher, you are required to quit any job you may have or any team you are a part of.
“For student teaching, you’re supposed to quit everything but Jackie [Neary] makes it work,” Pizzigoni said. “She makes it so I can still teach and be on the team at the same time. She is phenomenal to work with.”
Pizzigoni and her teammate, Christina Pasquariello praised Neary for more things than just the way she coaches.
“A lot of the girls on the team wouldn’t be at Cabrini if it wasn’t for her,” Pasquariello said. “She changes your view on life, school and everything else. She is and has been more than just a coach to everyone on our team.”
Pasquariello also talked about her friendship with Pizzigoni and the rest of the team.
“We’re like a family,” Pasquariello said. “We’d do anything for each other and we’re all like that. We’re all best friends.”
Going into her final season as a Lady Cav, Pizzigoni talked about what she expects for this season, her excitement for spring training and her achievements while playing lacrosse at Cabrini.
“I’m hoping I start this season,” Pizzigoni said. “Last season was the first time I started. I was used to playing every position but now I just play defense. I definitely expect to win the CSAC title this year.”
