Decatur's Priestley signs with Towson

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On the lacrosse field, Stephen Decatur senior Katie Priestley specializes in the transition game, securing the ball in her own end and dashing upfield. On Thursday, she announced what she hopes will be another smooth transition, signing to play at Division I Towson University.

Priestley is the third Seahawk this year to a sign letter of intent to a Division I school. Lacrosse co-captain Ali Lathroum also will going to Towson, and co-captain Katie Blazer will be heading to Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Priestley hopes to bring to Towson what she contributed as a starter for Decatur the last four years: stability at defensive wing, strong handles, quickness, and a nose for the goal from a position in which the latter is strictly a bonus.

"She's one of the fastest on the team, if not the fastest," Decatur coach Robert Musitano said. "She plays defensive wing, but she comes up and scores."

Priestley's proudest personal achievement and proudest team achievement are one in the same: last season's state final berth. Conversely, it was one of her biggest disappointments. In helping her team win the state semifinal, Priestley received two yellow cards, which disqualified her from playing in the final.

"She was allowed to dress and practice with the team but not play," said Musitano, who noted the second foul was, in his opinion, a bit soft for a yellow. "It was worse than being injured. She was on the sideline and wanted to play so badly."

Decatur went on to get routed by perennial powerhouse Mt. Hebron, which going into the game had won 93 straight.

Despite her obvious talent, those around Priestley more readily praise her work ethic.

"She's a self-starter, a hard worker, energetic and, most importantly, focused," Musitano said. "She leads by example. She's started since she was a freshman, she's a good student, she stays out of trouble. She's a well-rounded kid."

Priestley will go on to join a strong Towson program, currently hovering around .500 and sitting in the middle of the pack in the Colonial Athletic Association. She chose Towson from her many suitors for reasons other than athletics alone.

"I wanted to go [to college] in a city," Priestley said. "My uncle went there. ... When I visited the campus, it just felt right."

At Towson, she will major in business and marketing, though her plans after school include a career in fashion as a designer and model.

At the conclusion of her signing announcement, Priestley went to great lengths to thank former coaches Tim Gilbert, Page Reagan and Sarah Tilghman, as well as friends and family.

"My family and friends have been my backbone," she said.

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