Scholar athlete: Nichols' Molly DiGiulio

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Molly DiGiulio has made her mark as an exceptional student-athlete at Nichols.

A four-year varsity member of both the field hockey and ice hockey teams, Molly’s journey is defined not only by her athletic achievements, but also by her academic excellence as a straight-A honor student.

Her passion for field hockey, which she will continue at Providence College, was heavily influenced by her mother, a former Hamilton College field hockey player.

“I think I got into the sport from my mom," DiGiulio said. "She played in college, so I grew up with her teaching me how to play. I started playing and I fell in love with the sport, and then the teammates I met along the way are the reason I still play. They support me through everything I do, so that’s nice to have."

At Nichols, there is a strong crossover between the field hockey and ice hockey teams, with 12 field hockey players also participating in ice hockey. This creates a tight-knit bond between athletes from both sports, and Molly values the relationships she has with her teammates.

"They’ve become my best friends because we go through so much together," DiGiulio said. "Double practices — field hockey and hockey — and traveling, they’ve just all become my best friends and support me through everything.”

Molly capped off her remarkable career at Nichols with 202 career points — 108 goals and 94 assists — leading both Western New York and New York State in points during her junior and senior seasons. Her coach, Beth Stone, describes Molly as someone who thrives under pressure.

“She never lets anything get her down, regardless of the score of the game," Stone said. "She likes it the more competitive it is, and she brings that to the game all the time. The harder it is, the better it is for Molly.”