As a senior defender on the Winthrop lacrosse team, Hannah Justice started for the first time in her collegiate career against East Carolina University on Feb. 18.
“I have to admit, I had to keep it together when I found out I was starting on Friday. It was such a huge moment for me,” Justice said. “Not only is it my first time starting here at Winthrop, it is also my first time starting in college.”
Justice started playing lacrosse at 6 years old.
“I remember I had just moved and got to sign up for all new sports teams and decided to try lacrosse. In Maryland, pretty much everyone plays, so it was a no–brainer to start so young,” Justice said.
Justice began playing lacrosse at the collegiate level at Butler University. However, after some time, she talked with one of her assistant coaches, Nicole Beatson (a Winthrop alumna), who suggested playing at Winthrop.
“As soon as I was on campus, I knew I wanted to transfer here,” Justice said. “I had that moment where I ‘just knew,’ like so many talk about with finding the college that’s right for them.”
During Justice’s time playing lacrosse, she endured numerous injuries and surgeries. Justice has undergone seven surgeries, starting at the age of 12.
“I was born with hip dysplasia, and it went undiagnosed when I was a baby,” Justice said. “The surgery was intense, and I was in a wheelchair for months before attempting to walk again. When I began to play again, I needed to have the pins they had used to keep [it] secure removed.”
After having intense hip surgery, Justice suffered from a tear in both the right and left ACL, a tear in her meniscus, a sprained MCL and a retear in her left meniscus.
In October 2020, Justice visited a team doctor at the University of South Carolina and learned that she would need a reconstruction done to her knee as it had endured too much damage to heal properly.
“I had my fifth and final knee surgery that following month, and it was by far my hardest knee surgery to recover from,” Justice said. “I spent two months non-weightbearing and with having my leg locked straight.”
Throughout the multiple injuries and surgeries, her coaches and teammates have been supportive during her recovery process.
“I have to really give credit to coach Blankenship for not giving up on me as she took me in as a transfer on good word and never truly got to see me play,” Justice said.
“In the same breath, I thank coach Concheck for giving me a chance. She came in not knowing what I’ve been through, and yet giving me respect and working with me through my continued battle means so much.”
“My teammates are the best teammates in the world. These girls have supported me through every step of the way. You can’t ask for better teammates, and you certainly don’t get that on every team. We really are something special this season.”
Looking towards the rest of the season, Justice plans to take in all of the moments and memories that come as this will be her last season playing.
“I am beyond blessed to be able to have this last season even be a possibility, and I know that it is all my body can handle. It will be a very emotional few months for me as so much has led up to this, and I am more grateful for the opportunity to play than ever before,” Justice said.
