Keating’s growth was suddenly put on hold last weekend when she tweaked her ankle and was forced to sit out Sunday’s game against Bryant University. Although the team was able to pull out a 2-1 victory, Caples said that Keating’s presence on the field was missed.

“It’s unfortunate I got hurt this weekend,” Keating said. “Hopefully I’ll be back soon at the same pace I was going at.”

But she also said that the slight injury shouldn’t slow her progress too much and that she would be playing again by the next match.

As Keating continues to figure out how to balance playing two varsity sports, she will have multiple sophomore teammates to turn to. Mariah Pewarski and Morgan Powell are also members of both the field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams.

“[Pewarski and Powell] definitely made me realize that it was a possibility,” Keating said.

For their parts, Pewarski and Powell have praised the value of playing two sports.

“[Powell and I] … were talking about how cool it would be to be in-season year-round,” Pewarski said. “Kyleigh loves field hockey. I think she just missed it and saw that we were able to handle [playing both].”

Keating believes that her time on the lacrosse team proved useful as she acclimated herself with the field hockey squad.

“Already having played a sport at the college level really helped with the intensity,” Keating said. “Obviously my stick skills were a little rusty at first and still aren’t as good as the girls who played year long. It’s one of those riding-a-bike skills.”

Although Keating admits that she will be at a slight disadvantage compared to those who focus on a single sport all year, she said she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I consider it an advantage because I love both sports and I get to do both of them,” Keating said. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”