Lindsay Bitonti’s athletic career at Catholic could’ve been a chance to finally differentiate herself from her sister, Katie Bitonti, who is a year older and was always the better lacrosse player.
“Ever since I was growing up, people always thought that I lived in her shadow,” said Lindsay Bitonti. “I never really felt that way.”
So when Katie Bitonti’s expected playing career at Georgetown didn’t quite take off as expected, Lindsay knew exactly what to do.
“The second I got [to Catholic], I was talking to the coach about that I had a sister who was ten times better than me so I needed to get her over here,” said Lindsay Bitonti.
Katie Bitonti transferred from Northwest D.C. to Northeast this year, and this spring the Good Counsel alums have formed the backbone for the speedy Cardinals (9-3, 4-2 Capital Athletic Conference), who have won five straight and are poised for a top seed in the CAC tournament.
“It’s been great,” said Katie Bitonti, a midfielder with 13 goals and seven assists. “I realized how much I missed it when we went to different colleges. It had been two years since we were on the field together.”
Lindsay Bitonti is one of the team’s top defenders — second in both ground balls (46) and caused turnovers (21) — and says she plays better with her sister on the field.
“If I get the ball, I know exactly where to put it because for some reason, I know where [Katie’s] going to be without even looking there,” said Lindsay Bitonti.
Katie, a junior, and Lindsay, a sophomore, also live together, share the same major and are scheduled to graduate at the same time.
“I’ll be graduating first since my name comes first in the alphabet,” said Katie Bitonti. “Technically, I’ll still have the first diploma.”
Under first-year coach Meghan McDonogh, the Cardinals’ lightning quick pace has helped them outrun opponents to average 12.5 goals per game.
“Pretty much everyone on our team plays midfield so there’s not defense, midfield, attack,” said Lindsay Bitonti. “It’s like we’re an all-over-the-field team.”
“[The Bitonti sisters] are probably the two quickest girls on the team,” said freshman attack Katie Robinson, who has a team-high 30 goals. She also has a younger sister, too, and wouldn’t mind duplicating the Bitonti sister act.
“My sister’s actually looking here,” said Robinson. “It would be nice.”
CAC showdown
Marymount (1-9, 0-5 Capital Athletic Conference) at Catholic (9-3, 4-2)
When » Today, 1 p.m.
