Certain numbers carry more weight than others for Gabby Eaise.
When it comes to personal milestones, school records and statistics, Eaise is indifferent about most of them. But when it comes to her lacrosse jersey number, the senior midfielder for Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Newfield, puts the number 22 on a pretty high pedestal.
“I’ve been number 22 because it’s my brother’s number … [he] wore it in high school and in college,” Eaise said. “It was also my dad’s number.”
Her older brother Kevin played baseball at Saint Augustine Preparatory School, Richland, before playing collegiate ball at the University of Pennsylvania despite being diagnosed with a brain tumor 15 years ago at age 10. He underwent surgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to alleviate the complications caused by the tumor, and he continues to do well.
The number 22 represents the strength to overcome in the Eaise household, when the family rallied behind Kevin, the oldest of four siblings. They even started the Eaise Family Foundation to give back to CHOP.
“He used it in a way to defy all the odds,” Eaise said, explaining how her brother went on to become the Ivy League Pitcher of the Year in 2022 at UPenn. “He’s definitely a person I look up to.”
Eaise is writing her own story with the number 22. On May 12, she broke OLMA lacrosse’s all-time scoring record by passing 2013 graduate Caitlyn Covella’s record of 247 career points. That number, although an enormous accomplishment, wasn’t really on Eaise’s mind during the season.
“I honestly had no idea,” Eaise said. “I don’t really pay attention to records or anything because our goal was to win our division of our conference. So when I did break it, and [Athletic Director Matt Lenguadoro] stopped the game, I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ My whole team knew about it, but I didn’t.”
She also reached the record without much of a freshman season. Due to a senior-heavy team that year, Eaise only scored five goals and six assists in her inaugural high school season. Her production skyrocketed during her sophomore year as she netted 55 goals and 20 assists. Each year, those numbers have steadily climbed. She likely doesn’t know it, but Eaise was creeping up on 200 career goals with 191 in the bank through May 18.
Eaise, however, is more concerned with helping her younger teammates find their way. “I think all of the seniors have had to scoop up the younger girls,” she said. “For a lot of them, it’s their first year ever playing lacrosse. But it’s been fun seeing how much they’ve grown from the beginning.”
Looking back, Eaise has come a long way during her four years at OLMA. The Villagers’ career scoring leader is starting to appreciate what she’s accomplished. “I always want to leave things better than I found them. But right now, I’m looking to make the playoffs.”
As the Villagers’ drive for the playoffs continues, Eaise is soaking in every last moment before she continues her education and lacrosse career at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., where she will study biology in the hopes of following her mother into the veterinary field. She’ll have many fans following her progress back in Newfield.
“I loved seeing how strong of a support system the whole team is,” Eaise said. “Everyone is there to pick you up. They’ll be the ones to know about the records if you don’t know about them and make a poster for you. They’re just my best friends. I’ll definitely keep in touch with all of them for the rest of my life.”
Eaise will wear the number 5 at Ursinus because 22 is taken by sophomore Ryann Buchner. No. 22 could become available in a few years, but Eaise intends to stick with number 5, which she wore in middle school for field hockey.
“I think I’ll make five my number and not follow my brother for once,” she said with a laugh. “I think I’m going to make it my own.”
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
