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Newton Country Day recently held an athletics commitment celebration honoring Lucy Cooney '26 and Natalia Agular '26, who will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Cooney will be joining the women’s field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams at Amherst College and Agular will be joining the women’s lacrosse team at Babson College. Our Falcon athletes were celebrated by classmates, coaches, faculty and staff, and family members as they took the first step towards the next chapter in their athletic journeys. 

Cooney, who has been a member of the Newton Country Day community since Grade 6, began playing lacrosse in Grade 5 and field hockey in Grade 8. What started simply as social activities to meet new friends quickly became intense passions that continued into her Upper School years. Throughout her time on the NCDS varsity field hockey and lacrosse teams, Cooney has earned numerous accolades including, but not limited to: EIL All-League 2024-25 (field hockey and lacrosse), EIL Player of the Year 2025-26 (field hockey), and All New England 2025 (lacrosse). She also served as captain of both teams during her senior year.

Cooney shared some insight into her journey to becoming a dual collegiate athlete. “As I decided that I wanted to play field hockey at a level lower than Division I, I also knew I never wanted to quit lacrosse,” she explained. “I found opportunities within Division III that allowed me to put myself out there for both.” One of those opportunities arose at Amherst College, which Cooney quickly knew was the right school for her. “When I visited, the coaches were already showing confidence in me before I even decided that I wanted to spend the next four years there.”

Cooney found one of her biggest cheerleaders in her former teammate, NCDS field hockey alumna and current Boston College field hockey player Lillian Pergola '25. “She was always there for me, especially during the commitment process,” she explained. “Lily never let me get down on myself.” Cooney also enthusiastically credited the NCDS Athletics staff, saying, “The coaches are the best. They have prepared me to be the best person that I can be on and off the field.”

Agular, who began playing lacrosse in kindergarten and joined a club team in third grade, brought a well-established love for the sport to Newton Country Day when she started in Grade 7. She made an immediate impact when she started playing in the Upper School, becoming a four-year varsity starter, senior captain, and earning a 2025 NEPSAC Honorable Mention.

Her athletic journey would not have reached this point, she shared, without the support from her parents. “My dad took the time to go to all of my games and drove me countless hours,” she shared. “He was always there for me during the recruiting process, which can get overwhelming.” 

Agular immediately knew Babson College was the school for her. “When I visited, the girls on the team were really welcoming, especially the coach. I really connected with her,” she shared.

Agular also shared a piece of advice for younger student-athletes who hope to compete in college, acknowledging that the recruiting process can present challenges: “Don’t get in your head so much. It will all work out in the end. You will find the perfect place for you.” 

We look forward to cheering our Falcons on as they take this exciting next step in their athletic and academic careers!