Quilty Reflects on Experience with Ireland Lacrosse National Team
Jan 30 | Women's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Representing Ireland in world competition is something Stella Quilty never expected to happen until a few years ago.
Quilty’s grandfather was born on the Emerald Isle and her father, Pat, received dual citizenship several years ago. Quilty, now a freshman goalkeeper for Rutgers women’s lacrosse, also applied for dual citizenship, allowing her to try out for the Ireland Lacrosse U20 National Team.
When the final U20 roster was announced in December of 2023, Quilty was one of 22 athletes and six with ties to Division I programs selected.
“I didn't even know about trying out until two years ago really, and then once I tried out, I met all of my teammates,” Quilty said. “They were all so great, my coaches were awesome. Everyone was very supportive.”
Quilty quickly took advantage of the opportunity with the Irish program, as she was named a team captain this past summer for the Women’s U20 Championship, held Aug. 15-24 in Hong Kong, China.
With Quilty in cage, Ireland enjoyed a remarkable run at the championships, securing a top-10 world ranking by tournament’s end. The performance included an upset win over No. 5 Japan in pool play, as her team earned a 12-11 win to open the tournament.
Ireland finished U20’s with four victories and qualified for a placement match against China. The team finished 10th in the field to cap its historic run after the program finished 19th during its last tournament appearance in 2019.
Making history for Ireland is something Quilty will never forget.
“After we defeated Japan, I knew this team was going to do special things,” Quilty said. “As the tournament went on, we all got so close with one another, and we made so many memories together. We showed up to that tournament and played really well together and made a statement.”
Her performance at the U20 level earned her a tryout for Ireland’s senior sixes national team earlier this month. The senior-level program has an opportunity to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles after the IOC approved the sport’s inclusion last year.
Rutgers head coach Melissa Lehman believes the experience Quilty gained from international play can only help her as she transitions into her first collegiate season.
“What an opportunity for Stella to compete on the senior level,” Lehman said. “She had some really great experiences over the summer with U20s, and the jump to an even higher level is going to be great for her. Coming in as a freshman, she has a ton of talent. Seeing shots like she did in international play is incredible for her development.”
Quilty is no stranger to success between the pipes. A native of Huntington, New York, Quilty established herself as one of the top scholastic goalies on Long Island for top-ranked St. Anthony’s. The Friars capped a perfect 19-0 season this past spring with their fifth consecutive state title. Quilty also competed with the well-known Long Island Yellow Jackets on the club circuit.
Her competitive edge earned her a spot at Rutgers, and she joins graduate transfer Lexie Coldiron and sophomore Sophia Rowell as goalkeepers on the roster this spring. Coldiron arrives “On the Banks” after a standout four-year career at Lafayette, while Rowell appeared in four games as a true freshman last season.
Quilty also becomes a member of a program that has had strong goalie play in recent years. 2024 graduate Sophia Cardello wrapped up her standout career this past spring with 564 career saves for the Scarlet Knights, good for fourth all-time in school history. The fellow Long Islander tallied 162 saves during her senior campaign in 2024, which included 11 games with 10 or more stops and a season-high 17 saves in RU’s Big Ten semifinal appearance against Penn State.
As she settles into her first year in Piscataway, Quilty is excited to use her experiences from international play to help the Scarlet Knights in any way she can.
“Playing internationally against some of the best in the world is a feeling that is hard to put into words,” Quilty said. “Getting an opportunity to now compete on the stage of the Big Ten is also another challenge I look forward to.”
