LYNN — Lynn Classical senior Jessica Page has always been one to excel in the classroom as well as in athletics. Now, the Rams’ soccer captain has found the perfect spot to continue doing both next year at Western New England University in Springfield.
“Choosing Western New England definitely had to do with what they had to offer there since I’m going to be studying pharmacy,” Page said. “I wanted to stay closer to home and I also wanted to play soccer. Their coach (Kristin Hensinger) reached out and things went well from there. She even gave me a tour of the campus. When she finally did tell me later on I had a spot on the team, I was excited.”
Page, who was also a part of the Classical swim team, has been the key piece for the Rams’ soccer team’s defense at sweeper and can already see herself settling into the Golden Bears’ program.
“(Hensinger) was really amazing and so nice,” Page said. “I went to the school originally just to meet with her and see where they practiced, but she showed me everything. I even met some of my future teammates, who showed me the housing. It was really great to get that information.”
It was also a pleasant experience after the stress of searching for a college during the pandemic.
“It was hard,” Page said of the decision making process. “I couldn’t tour a lot of schools so it was a lot of online searching. It was different. I have two older brothers and it was a completely different experience than what they had. I went on a lot of virtual tours and did a lot of reading to learn as much as I could about schools.”
One silver lining of the pandemic was it gave Page some inspiration into the pursuit of a health and wellness profession.
“I honestly wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in for while,” Page said. “Towards the beginning and middle of quarantine, I started looking into pharmacy and liked it more and more. Then with talk about COVID vaccines and those subjects, I’ve gotten even more interested in it.”
Page certainly has the passion to pursue success in that field and on the soccer field, according to Classical girls soccer coach Mike Schena.
“It’s hard to even know where to begin with such a talented person on and off the soccer field,” Schena said. “When I first met Jessica, it was clear school was always a priority for her. And with her grades you can see that. On the field, she’s passionate and gives 110 percent and she did that with her grades also.
“She led our defense at sweeper,” Schena said. “She’s vocal on the field, just a leader. She’ll be missed next year. Not only did Western New England get a tremendous athlete, they got a student who will represent the school well.”
And Page has been grateful to suit up for the Rams one more time with Schena and the rest of her teammates in a Fall II season that will wrap up with the Greater Boston League playoffs this week.
“At first it was disappointing not to get a regular season,” Page said. “But I’m grateful for it. The team is so much better in our touches, through balls and communication. We’ve gotten so close and the girls have gone full out. Along with Mike, he pushed for a season and we’re grateful for it.”
