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So much of what went right for American during this shortened 2020 season had to do with the players on the field, but perhaps it started with the leadership at the top.
“[Breslin] made it a really good team environment,” junior attacker Emma Vinall said. “Our team got so much closer this spring. We grew such a great team culture with her.”
Petrucelli was let go in December after a university investigation concluded that she had committed violations of university policy. Freshman Shaylah Devlin, who transferred from American in December, said Petrucelli had created a “toxic and fearful environment,” according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Eagle.
“I think we were in a space where our team was facing a lot of obstacles and challenges, and Coach Breslin brought resolve and leadership,” senior attacker Casey Harkins said. “She really stepped into that position when we needed someone. She brought a ton of positivity to help get us through each practice, day by day.”
That positivity proved crucial in mid-March.
On March 10, after a 19-9 win over Presbyterian, Breslin told her team that classes had been moved online due to rising concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic. A day later, Breslin told them that Lafayette, their next opponent, had suspended athletics. Thursday morning, she told them the Ivy League had canceled all spring athletics. Then, the big news dropped.
The Patriot League — and subsequently, the NCAA — had canceled everything.
“Dr. Walker and I delivered that news to the team Thursday morning in the locker room,” Breslin said. “Once I told the team that we would meet in the locker room rather than out on the field, I think they knew. We have incredibly smart women on our team, so I think they understood.
“I told them, ‘‘We have done everything we could this season to do what was in our control.’”