DANIELLE MASCHUCI, Class of 1996

As a member of the Falcon attack for three years, Danielle Maschuci helped steer the Peddie girls lacrosse program to a banner campaign in 1996, rolling to its best record to date at 11-4. Supported by the offensive heroics of Maschuci, Katie Horner ’96, Kelly Ritter ’96 and Mandie Sudol ’97, the Falcons sprinted to an 8-0 start, highlighted by their first-ever win over Lawrenceville. Despite a season-ending setback to Lawrenceville in the state semifinals, Coach Leigh Wood’s squad gained respectability.

Maschuci’s success was largely driven by grit, perseverance and strength of character. “Danielle is a natural athlete who put her talent to work for tennis, basketball, lacrosse, and in the fall of 1995 for the first time, the field hockey team,” wrote Peddie’s College Counseling office.

“In the sports arena, she is a spirited team member who puts the good of the whole before herself. Her maturity, self-confidence and grace are a winning combination for future success,” they said.

On the playing fields, Maschuci possessed a perfect blend of humility and fierce resolve.

Mary (Tennyson) Mahoney ’94, captain of the 1994 lacrosse team, described an All-American in the making. “Danielle joined the team as a sophomore and made an immediate impact with her incredible skills, speed and integrity of play. Her positivity was infectious, and she raised the caliber of performance and commitment based on her work ethic and can-do attitude, making the team more cohesive and ultimately more successful.” Coach Wood had a front-row seat as she watched Maschuci’s explosive athleticism.
“Danielle was fearless, fast, nimble and completely unintimidated. She was the girl you wanted to have the ball because she had the ability to make things happen. Defensively, she could use her speed to chase down her opponent and did the extra scrap to force turnovers.”

At Johns Hopkins, Maschuci became the trailblazer for the university’s conversion from Division III to Division I lacrosse. She helped the Blue Jays to an overall record of 48-17 in her four years, including a mark of 26-7 in two years in Division III and 22-10 in the program’s first two Division I seasons. A three-time All-American and the first Blue Jay to earn the honor at the DI level, Maschuci put up points at a prodigious rate. She netted 197 goals for a career average of 3.44 goals per game, which remains the Johns Hopkins’ standard. Maschuci received The Catherine P. Carmer Award, given to the senior female who has made the most outstanding contribution in athletics at Johns Hopkins. Head coach Janine Tucker said, “Danielle was the quarterback and the heart of the team. In addition, she was very unselfish and had a tremendous rapport with the younger players. Her explosive scoring punch and team play will be hard to replace.” Maschuci was inducted into the JHU Hall of Fame in 2011.

The Peddie Sports Hall of Fame now celebrates the unmatched dedication and athletic skill of Danielle Maschuci.