Bonshak, Ross and Sinisi Capping Off Five-Year Spartan Journey

College seniors do not normally get the chance for an extra year in college, or the chance to extend their athletic careers beyond the normal four-year span.

In the case of three seniors from last year's Michigan State field hockey team, midfielder Cara Bonshak, forward Lia Sinisi and forward Meredith Ross all stayed for another year, using an extra year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bonshak and Sinisi are returning co-captains and Ross started at forward in all 16 games last spring. Upon learning about the opportunity to return to play, the seniors considered their futures as MSU athletes and students with the assistance of head coach Helen Knull.

In late March 2020, the NCAA granted spring-sport athletes an extra year of eligibility. When the COVID-19 pandemic changed the 2020-21 school year, the NCAA then granted the extra year of eligibility to fall and winter sports as well.

"Coach was very honest and open from the beginning about what could happen this year and how we wanted to handle it," Bonshak said.

Sinisi added, "I decided early on that I'd spread out my credits and take an extra semester. Coach had a good feeling about us having an extra year of eligibility and she kind of set us up and prepared us for if we wanted to stay an extra year."

The three have been teammates since 2017, bonding quickly through their similar backgrounds and upbringings. Each had different circumstances for taking a fifth year, but the decision to return was ultimately driven by their love for the sport and their bond shared on and off the field.

"We played club field hockey all within hours of each other and it was easy to not feel homesick when we came to MSU because we all had each other," said Sinisi.

Ross added, "For me it was a no brainer. I love Michigan State and all of the opportunities it has given me. I just could not imagine playing anywhere else. It also speaks to how close we are as a team and the support we have from the coaching staff here that all three of us would want to come back."

Bonshak sees how they have grown as friends and teammates.

"It started out as five seniors, but we've dwindled down a bit," said Bonshak. "It's fun to look back at freshman year and see how we've all grown in different ways yet we still have such a good relationship that goes beyond field hockey."

The three are good friends off the field, but they have built a connection that translates on the field as well.

"We've been able to build really special relationships," said Ross. "On and off the field we are able to connect with each other really well. I'm lucky to have them as my teammates and my best friends."

With the extra year of eligibility, the seniors were aiming to improve as a team and it yielded results. The Spartans went undefeated in non-conference play for the 2021 season and has went down to the wire with multiple top-10 opponents.

"It's just about improving," said Bonshak. "It's just about being better than we were before."

Knull attributed some of the team's success this season to having five experienced seniors on the roster.

"We returned our two team captains in Cara and Lia and it makes a big difference in team perspective, leadership, knowing our system and what to do," said Knull. "It's also important during critical possessions to have that experience. The three fifth year seniors have played all four years and we also have seniors like Lori Mack who didn't play a ton of minutes early in her career but she's really coming along and having that experience makes a huge difference for us."

With an extra year of experience, the seniors are taking this opportunity to give their best effort this season. The three started their careers together as MSU athletes and will end their careers together after this season.

"I'm in the mindset that it's our last year so I'm going to leave it all out there," said Bonshak.

Bonshak, Ross and Sinisi Capping Off Five-Year Spartan Journey

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Cara Bonshak

Lori Mack

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Lia Sinisi

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