SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A soccer and basketball player growing up, Lyndsay Carpenter knew how to shoot using her feet and hands. But a lacrosse stick was a foreign object to her four years ago. Fast forward to her senior season, Carpenter will be playing lacrosse in college on a scholarship. She has come a long way.

“Lyndsay is an athlete and they make great lacrosse players especially ones that come over from basketball,” said St. Francis Head Coach Kristy Wilson. “They see the game well and make especially good defenders.”

Carpenter, a Davis resident, led the St. Francis defense while scoring six goals and adding two assists to help the Troubadours reach the North Coast Section playoffs. She was a three-time varsity letter winner for the program.

“Coming to St. Francis I thought I was going to be a basketball star,” said Carpenter. “I fell in love with the sport. I can’t imagine not playing it now and I am really excited to play it in college.”

She will be playing at Wheeling Jesuit in Wheeling, W.Va. next fall.

“I chose Wheeling because it is a new experience and completely different culture,” said Carpenter. “I am really interested in their pre-dental program.”

Wheeling Jesuit is a Division II school that plays in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Cardinals finished a school-best third in the league and posted the best record in the three-year history of the program in 2014. The program is coached by Tim Florence.

“The coach and I have a great bond,” said Carpenter. “He has shown up to a lot of my games at tournaments. We have developed a really close relationship and I really connected well with the girls when I visited.”

Former Troubadour Sarah Fitzsimon recently completed her senior season at the school, a St. Francis legacy that will continue with Carpenter.

“It is a definitely a growing program and they had nine freshmen this year,” said Carpenter. “I am excited to be part of it. I am going to be their low defender and will have a leadership role on the defense.”

While excited to move forward, she owes everything to the St. Francis program for her development over the last four years, culminating in this opportunity.

“St. Francis lacrosse has meant everything to me,” said Carpenter. “It is where I have developed all my friendships. It taught me how to be a really good leader and friend.”

Carpenter is one of 34 St. Francis student-athletes to commit or sign to play collegiate athletics next fall.