Girls & Women in Sports Feature
By Peyton Johns, Sports Editor
National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), which is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of February, is a day to honor the achievements of female and female-identifying athletes.
Additionally, the day is meant to promote equality and highlight the physical and emotional benefits and struggles that women face in the sports world. This year, NGWSD was celebrated on Feb. 4, which marked nearly four decades of observance.
This year, Daemen Athletics invited all female student-athletes to participate in a luncheon on Feb. 3 to highlight the achievements of our very successful women’s sports teams. With the athletic committee on campus being made up of a large portion of women, including the Director of Athletics, Traci Murphy, athletics takes great pride in their women’s sports.
“I believe Daemen takes pride in their female athletes, showing support and encouragement through successes and inevitable failures,” Ava Brown, junior defenseman on the women’s lacrosse team, said. “I have found an incredible support system through my teammates and coaches here at Daemen. We go through all the highs and lows that come with sports as a family.”
Brown has played Lacrosse at Daemen since her freshman year and even longer before her sports career here.
“I have played lacrosse for as long as I remember. It has always been a part of my life. I started playing in elementary school and simply never walked away. I am grateful I get the opportunity to continue playing the sport I fell in love with so many years ago,” said Brown.
Senior Mackenzie Hutchins has had a successful four years here at Daemen on the Women’s Bowling team, including two All-Tournament Team awards. This award involves being in the top 5 highest averages over 5 games for a specific tournament.
“Daemen University’s women’s sports programs stand out because of the strong presence and leadership of women within the athletic department,” said Hutchins, a key part of the Women’s Bowling team since her freshman year. “Unlike other universities, Daemen has women serving in key roles as coaches, administrators, athletic trainers, and support staff. This creates an environment where female athletes are consistently represented and empowered.”
Dual student athlete Kylie Miranto, a senior Forensic Science major on both the Daemen women’s soccer team and women’s lacrosse team, has been a key asset to both of her teams since her freshman year. Playing soccer for over 16 years and Lacrosse for 8, Miranto has achieved so much for both her sports, herself, and Daemen. Some of her most notable accomplishments from just last season include being selected for the All-America third team, United Soccer Coaches Div. II All-East Region, D2CCA All-East Region First Team, ECC Offensive Player of the Year, ECC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, All-ECC First Team, 2025 Daemen Female Athlete of the Year. None of these is easy to achieve, especially as a dual student athlete.
“What sets Daemen’s Women’s Sports apart from other universities is the team culture. I’m so close with everyone on my team(s) and my coaches as well,” said Miranto. “Being on a team and celebrating big wins with all of the girls is what’s so special.”
“Soccer has always been something that was constant in my life,” Hahn said. “It was something I’ve always had no matter where I was or who I was with. It’s something I could always find enjoyment in.”
“Bowling is a destresser from school,” said Oranye. “What’s special to me is Daemen’s small community. For D2, I think we are small but filled with so much support and spirit!”