It’s already been quite a memorable junior year on the sports front for Providence’s Maggie Wolniakowski.
She was an individual qualifier for the state cross country meet in the fall, then was part of a basketball team that won 23 games and a regional championship in the winter.
The ultimate way to cap it off this spring? That would be to make it to state in soccer after the Celtics fell one win short last season.
“That’s the goal,” Wolniakowski said. “It’s going to take us all to step up and play our best, but I think we can do it by working together and talking. We all have that connection.”
Wolniakowski, a midfielder/forward, is the Celtics’ offensive energizer. She scored two goals Tuesday night to help visiting Providence stay perfect on the season with a 5-0 GCAC White win over Montini in Lombard.
Victoria Lotz, Leah Reyes and Chloe Hall each added a goal for the Celtics (12-0, 4-0). Lydia Arrigoni and Giuliana Savarino dished out two assists apiece and Gabby Tylka added an assist.
Abby O’Brien, Emma Winjum, Alexa Thompson and Bailey Ortiz led a dominant defense in front of goalkeeper Claire Wajda, holding Montini (4-4, 2-2) without a shot on goal.
Wolniakowski, meanwhile, scored for the 13th and 14th time this season. Despite missing over a week with an injury, she leads the Celtics in goals again after finishing with a team-best 22 last spring.
Providence coach Mike Taylor sees her continuing to improve.
“She’s getting better and better,” Taylor said. “Her love for the game is unbelievable. When she was out, she was champing at the bit to get back in. I had to tell her just to be patient because we didn’t want to make it any worse.”
Wolniakowski loves having a sport for every season. No breaks needed.
“It keeps me busy and it keeps me focused,” she said. “During a hard day, I just look forward to playing a sport. It’s exciting.”
Wolniakowski also enjoyed sharing the basketball court with O’Brien and Wajda as teammates in the winter.
“It’s great building a connection with them and carrying it over onto the soccer field,” Wolniakowski said.
As for cross country, the success she had running in the fall jumpstarted her whole athletic year.
“It was exciting and it really helps me keep up my speed and endurance,” Wolniakowski said. “It’s really fun.”
That speed and endurance are always on display on the field, according to Hall, who said Wolniakowski sets the tone for the whole soccer team.
“I think her humility is amazing,” Hall said. “Not many players are like Maggie, but she stays humble and she’s a great teammate and a great leader.
“We all look up to her. When she sprints … whoa, she sprints.”
Lotz and Reyes, both freshmen midfielder/forwards, scored in the first 15 minutes Tuesday to get Providence out to a 2-0 lead.
Wolniakowski provided the next two goals, one in each half, before Hall capped the scoring by burying a highlight reel-worthy strike under the crossbar for her first goal of the season.
Hall, who also competes on Providence’s dance team, showed off some of those skills when she celebrated her goal with a cartwheel.
Hall was extra excited because she didn’t initially realize she had scored.
“I thought it went over the net so I just turned around to go back on defense and then I saw Alyssa (Thulin) running at me, screaming,” Hall said. “It was great. I amazed myself.”
The Celtics have had many reasons to do cartwheels this season. They’ve outscored their opponents 52-3.
Wolniakowski’s passion fuels the team.
“I’ve loved soccer since I was 3 years old,” she said. “I love the team connection and being able to play with my friends.
“And just running. I love running.”
