Cassidy Weeks almost quit lacrosse after a rough start at age five when she took a ball to the head.
“I remember thinking I never wanted to play again,” shared Cassidy, now 26, from Bay Port.
Yet, she persevered, largely thanks to her twin sister, Courtney, who was determined to continue with the sport from the beginning.
Fast forward, and Cassidy is on the 2028 U.S. Olympic team, while Courtney has become the high school championship coach in Sayville after leading Boston College to a national title in 2021.
“We complement each other really well; we don’t try to outshine one another,” Courtney noted, being the older sister by four minutes.
According to Cassidy, Courtney excels in shooting, but Courtney thinks Cassidy stands out for her speed and endurance.
“There’s a unique bond among us, especially since we share the same position,” Cassidy explained, adding that she plays professionally as a Boston Guard in the Women’s Lacrosse League.
“Competing against each other for spots has definitely motivated us to improve.”
From Youth to Success
The twins made the leap to varsity lacrosse during eighth grade and quickly made a name for themselves.
When it came to college recruitment, teams were interested in the duo, often getting coaches on the phone together, drawn by their competitive spirit.
“We kept pushing each other to improve,” Courtney recalled.
“It was the small things, like who could hold the ball longer in wall ball practice.”
Academically, they were a formidable team too, both majoring in neuroscience and keeping each other motivated to maintain a strong GPA.
“We often quarreled over grades, like who aced the test,” Cassidy said. “It added a competitive twist to our studies.”
However, Cassidy faced a severe setback when she tore her ACL during her first practice at Boston College in 2019.
“The irony, right? On day one,” she joked.
Her coach, Acacia Walker Weinstein, told Cassidy to let herself grieve for a day, but to then focus on recovery.
“After today, I won’t let myself cry again,” Cassidy remembered saying, a mantra she shared with fellow athletes in rehabilitation.
“This is going to be tough, but I’m determined to return.”
Eventually, she made it back on the field and scored in the national championship game against Syracuse, while Courtney scored twice in their 16-10 victory.
“We looked at each other on the field and felt it—this was a dream realized,” recalled Courtney. “That moment will always stick with me.”
After graduating and dealing with five surgeries, Courtney decided to shift gears and became a coach in 2024, helping Sayville win the New York State title in her first year.
“Connecting with the players and sharing technical skills made a big difference for us,” she said.
Aiming for Gold
Meanwhile, Cassidy, who has always idolized Mia Hamm, is preparing for her own big moment.
She’s focused on the upcoming Olympic lacrosse debut at the Los Angeles Summer Games.
“This is the biggest chance I’ve ever had,” Cassidy expressed, recalling a recent victory with Team USA at the World Games where they beat Canada for gold.
Cassidy anticipates another rivalry in two years, saying, “We’re more physical and oriented as a team, while they’re very technical and know their roles.”
“Playing alongside and against them will help us level up our game.”
Despite the hurdles, Cassidy can’t contain her excitement about being a part of something larger and hopes to bring home that gold medal on familiar soil.
“It would be the craziest experience ever,” she mused.
