Meet Our Lacrosse Mentors
Better Together is excited to announce its sport-specific mentorship program. Athletes can be matched with a lacrosse mentor who plays at the collegiate or high school level. Mentors can help the student-athlete navigate their physical, mental, and emotional journey and the challenges they will face on and off the field. Using resources from Better Together and their own experiences, Mentors will help the younger generation of athletes have the tools for a better chance of happiness and success.

Lillia Montemarano
Class of 2024, University of Michigan
Major: Psychology
Sport: Women's Lacrosse
Athletic Background:
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University of Michigan Lacrosse Team (2022-2024)
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University of Denver Lacrosse Team (2020-2021)
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Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart Lacrosse Team (2013-2020)
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MC Elite Lacrosse Club (2013-2019)
Personal Statement:
"My journey through Division I Lacrosse has been marked by incredible team achievements and personal growth. The most valuable aspects of my experience have been the lessons learned and the relationships built. As I transition from playing organized sports, I am committed to staying involved in athletics. I aim to leverage my psychology education, personal experiences with mental health, and dedication to advocacy to continue contributing to the sports community."

Zachary Webb
Boston University, Class of 2029
Holderness School, Class of 2025
Major: Business Major
Sport: Lacrosse Athlete
Athletic Background:
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4 Leaf Lacrosse
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Holderness School
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Boston University Commit
Personal Statement:
“I am committed to Boston University for lacrosse and served as a two-sport varsity captain at Holderness School.”
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Della Goodman
Georgetown University, Class of 2028
Major: Business
Sport: Lacrosse Athlete
Personal Statement:
"Hi! My name is Della Goodman. I am from Rye, NY and I am an incoming freshman on the Georgetown Women’s Lacrosse team. I’ve played lacrosse since first grade. Since then lacrosse has been an outlet for me to be to de-stress. I played club lacrosse for Predators a club team based out of Westchester, NY for 4 years. Along with lacrosse, I’ve played travel soccer since 3rd grade, and 3 years on the high school team ending with a state championship win in 2023. I believe having strong mental health is equally as important as having strong physical health for the game."

Eliza Bowman
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Major: Graduate Student in Sport Management
Sport: Women’s Lacrosse Athlete
Athletic Background:
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CT Grizzlies
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Greenwich Academy
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Johns Hopkins University
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University of Connecticut
Personal Statement:
“I grew up in Darien, CT, and played club lacrosse for CT Grizzlies. At Greenwich Academy, I played lacrosse and ice hockey. I then attended Johns Hopkins University for my undergrad, playing Division I lacrosse and studying Political Science. After overcoming an ACL tear and a coaching change, I transferred to UConn to complete my final two seasons of eligibility and earned my Master’s degree in Sport Management. I am passionate about student-athlete mental health and aim to support others through similar challenges, just as my teammates, friends, family, and administrators supported me.”

Grady Taylor
Cornell University, Class of 2029
Holderness School, Class of 2025
Sport: Lacrosse Athlete
Athletic Background:
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3D Lacrosse
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4 Leaf Lacrosse Club
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Holderness School
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Committed to play at Cornell University
Personal Statement:
“Since I was old enough to walk, a lacrosse stick has found its way into my hands! Growing up in Falmouth, Maine, I branched out to club lacrosse programs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, playing for 3D Lacrosse and 4 Leaf Lacrosse. Early last fall, I committed to Cornell University and will be graduating in 2029. I am entering my senior year at Holderness School, where I have been voted co-captain for a second year.”
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Taylor Priestley
Northern Michigan University, Class of 2025
Major: Secondary Education English
Sport: Women’s Lacrosse Athlete
Athletic Background:
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3D Oregon
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3D Pacific
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Westview High School
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Northern Michigan University
Personal Statement:
“I played lacrosse at Westview High School, where I was a four-year varsity starter and captain during my junior and senior seasons. I was named 2021 Varsity Player of the Year, Metro Player of the Year, and First Team All-Conference Midfielder. In 2019, I was Varsity Midfielder of the Year and Second Team All-Conference Midfielder. In 2018, I was Varsity Rookie of the Year and received Honorable Mention All-Conference Defense.”

Bodie Cannata
Fairfield University, Class of 2028
Major: Business
Sport: Lacrosse Athlete
Personal Statement:
I was a 4-year varsity player at Pingree school where I earned All-New England, All-League, and All-Region Honors.

Tessa Shields
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Class of 2025
Major: Finance
Sport: Women’s Lacrosse Athlete
Athletic Background:
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Phillips Exeter Academy (Varsity Lacrosse, Soccer, Basketball)
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Laxachusetts (Club Lacrosse)
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NEFC (Club Soccer)
Personal Statement:
“I’m a rising senior at UMass Amherst on the women’s lacrosse team. I attended Phillips Exeter for high school, where I played varsity lacrosse, soccer, and basketball. I played club lacrosse for Laxachusetts and club soccer for NEFC. I’m very excited to be a part of Better Together and to help athletes of all levels navigate the ups and downs of sports.”
Meet Our Team Leaders

Daphne Faldi
Co-Founder
Director of Mentor Training and Community Outreach

Dr. Kimberly O'Brien, PhD, LICSW
Co-Founder
Director of Programs

Maura McCarthy
Co-Founder
Coordinator of Marketing and Community Outreach
This platform allows seasoned student-athletes to mentor and guide younger athletes by sharing their life experiences and complimenting our structured Better Together Mental Health Literacy and Leadership programming.
Mentorship involves a combination of clinician-facilitated topic-specific group sessions and four (4) one-on-one virtual Zoom sessions with a designated Better Together Mentor. The mentor and the mentee will engage around the Better Together course content at their own set agreed-upon times. Mentors will be compensated for all sessions.
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Lead by Dr. Kimberly O'Brien, PhD, LICSW
Better Together provides customizable programming to support athletes’ mental health and well-being throughout your athletes-development. We aim to optimize the processes of wellness, balance, success, and happiness. We provide each athlete with a current or former college athlete who will support, inspire, and mentor your athletes. While you improve your athlete’s athletic skills, we improve your athlete’s mental skills. Our curriculum and practical tools will help each athlete find the best version of themselves.
