"You always want to play with the best of the best, and she is the best in the world," Hagerman said. "I get better playing alongside her."
"It was definitely emotional- but we're all supportive of her decision," said Botterill, who was also Ruggiero's roommate last year. "She's a great person, friend, and teammate."
Ruggiero's absence will make it considerably more difficult for Harvard to win its second national title in three years.
"It was not easy to see her leave, because we had very high hopes for this season," Stone said. "I don't know if it was in her best interests to leave, because there's so much going on here."
Leaving was triply painful, as Ruggiero had to leave behind her team, her friends, and her school.
"Now, when I come back in two years, all my friends will have graduated," Ruggiero said. "But I just thought it was a great opportunity. I needed to develop to play in the Olympics."
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