> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Reluctant at first, Cranney finding her way with Souhegan girls lacrosse
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/reluctant-at-first-cranney-finding-her-way-with-souhegan-girls-lacrosse/
- Published: 2018-04-04T12:00:38.000Z
- Updated: 2018-04-04T12:00:38.000Z
- Description: Abby Cranney wanted no part of lacrosse. Despite the urging of her parents and her friends, the Souhegan High School senior didn't have any interest in playing the sport after a bad experience at a youth camp when she was young. Cranney was so set in her decision, it took a little white lie to get h
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, Abby Cranney, girls lacrosse, NH High School Sports Insider, slider, Souhegan, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

Abby Cranney wanted no part of lacrosse.

Despite the urging of her parents and her friends, the Souhegan High School senior didn't have any interest in playing the sport after a bad experience at a youth camp when she was young.

Cranney was so set in her decision, it took a little white lie to get her to finally give the sport another chance.

"We had the big goggles and I was so stubborn, and I’d cry and take them off," Cranney said of the camp she tried in kindergarten. "My mom had to pick me up and it was a big thing. In fourth grade, my best friend (McKenzie Robinson), her dad coached and he convinced me that it was bring-a-friend-to-lacrosse day."

She bought the story, but soon found out the truth.

[*\[This story also appears in the 2018 NH-HighSchoolSports.com Lacrosse Preview. Click here to order a copy.\]*](https://shop.nh-highschoolsports.com/order-form19716471?ref=nh-highschoolsports.com)

"It was not bring-a-friend-to-lacrosse day," Cranney said. "That was the only way they could get me to go."

Now, Cranney is thankful she went, and stuck with it, as she enters her last season playing for Souhegan as a captain and a four-year varsity starter. Next year, she'll continue playing at the University of New Hampshire.

Before that, though, Cranney and the Sabers will try to successfully defend the Division I championship they won a year ago, as they beat Bedford 10-9 to win the program's first title since 2008.

"We’ve always known that we have the capability of doing it, it was just a matter of getting to that point and not breaking down and letting nerves get to us," Cranney said. "We’ve definitely built up a lot of confidence, considering we’d always made it to the final four, and not gotten it. This year, we have a target on our back so we have to work even harder than last year."

Cranney is one of a handful of seniors on this year's team who has been on the varsity since freshman year, and winning a title a year ago felt like the culmination of something they were expected to do.

"I think it has been expected of them," Souhegan coach Maren Petropulos said. "It is good that they got it last year. These girls have grown over all four years, as athletes, as young women.

"I feel like they’ve always had the best interest in the program. We have a lot of freshmen coming out, even though we don’t have that many spots available, but (the seniors) have been great supporting the younger kids. I like to see that. They’ve grown up."

For Cranney, the growth has been physically as well. After starting out at attack when she was younger, she got a little taller and added some muscle to take on a spot as a midfielder.

"I finally grew and got some muscle on me, so I ended up being able to play some defense," Cranney said. "I like being involved in the attack and then go back on defense and help out there."

Her biggest attribute has been her speed, according to Petropulos.

"With Abby, I’d heard she was fast, and she’s fast," the coach said of what she knew of Cranney before she got to Souhegan. "I think she’s gotten a lot more confidence. I remember telling her sophomore year ‘you have to go to goal.’ You have the speed, the stick skills, you just need the confidence that you can get that ball in the net.

"She always used to shoot at the same (spot). She’s tall, so she’s going to shoot high, and I think that’s something she’s worked on. She’s very coachable and always has been. She deserves a lot of praise because she has really developed her game."

Cranney, who also played field hockey for Souhegan, showcased her speed during the indoor track season, helping the Sabers' 4x200-meter relay team to a first-place finish in the final race of the Division II championship. That win put Souhegan in first by two points for the team's second straight indoor title.

"Indoor track I used to keep my speed up and we ended up winning this year, which was awesome," Cranney said. "This has always been what I like to do. I love playing with these girls. We’ve been playing together since like sixth grade. Finishing it with them will be amazing, I hope."