University of Richmond Athletics
Teammates ... Sisters ... Friends
04/24/2007 | Women's Lacrosse
April 24, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond head coach Sue Murphy recruited them out of Canandaigua, N.Y.; one to begin her collegiate career in 2004, the other in 2006. Together, they have made a tremendous impact on the Spider lacrosse program.
The two were named pre-season All-Americans in 2007 by Inside Lacrosse after combining for a total of 100 goals last season as they led the Spiders to their first-ever A-10 regular season title, their second-straight A-10 Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, a record-breaking 16 wins, including an 11-game win streak and a program-high no. 9 national ranking.
And they are at it again. With over 65 goals between the two of them over midway through the 2007 season, the duo has helped their team continue the recent goals and tradition of national prominence, with a ranking as high as No. 13.
Not to mention, the Friends practically own the Spider record book. Ashley will graduate in the Top 6 for career goals, assists and points, among several single season records, while Mandy has already broken into the career record book for all three categories as a sophomore. She also ranks among the best for single season records, including owning the school record for most points in a single season, a mark she set in her standout rookie season last year.
You could say the love of the sport runs in the family. Father Jeff Friend played lacrosse at Bowling Green State and Geneseo State. He always had a stick laying around and the Friends threw the ball around as children but didn't get competitive until the seventh grade, when they both played on the Empire State Team.
For Mandy, growing up, she just felt lucky that her big sister let her go along to where she was asked to play. "I can't imagine it not getting annoying but she must have kept it to herself through the years," said the sophomore with a smile on her face.
"It was hard playing together at first for me because she had two years under her belt," said Mandy. "She knew so much more and I just tried to learn as much as I could to rise to her level. We have very similar priorities which makes our relationship even stronger."
In high school as things got more competitive, and the two continued to play together, the athletes said they didn't get competitive with eachother. Mandy credits her parents for that, who spoke of them and as entirely different players.
"It's hard to compete against someone like Ash," said Mandy of her sister. "For starters, you cannot outwork her. No matter how hard I could imagine working, she will be working harder. Instead of trying to beat her, I've always just tried to come close and that's a big enough goal in itself."
Big sister Ashley had a mutual respect for her younger sister.
"I love playing with Mans!" said Ashley of Mandy. "She is so talented and hardworking on the field and the positive attitude and enthusiasm she brings every single day is something I look up to."
Mandy concluded her freshman year with 53 goals and 23 assists, including 11 hat tricks. She racked up five A-10 Rookie of the Week honors and was named to the A-10 Championship Team and the A-10 All-Conference and VaSID first teams.
The A-10 Rookie of the Year also earned All-America honors as a freshman and has continued her notable ways as a sophomore, leading the team this season in many statistical categories, as well as ranking in the conference and the nation in several categories.
"I've never really looked at her as a freshman or sophomore because she plays with confidence and finds a way to get the job done," said Ashley with a high regard of her sister. "We have different styles of play but respect that about each other 100%."
You could say Mandy is just following in her sister's footsteps -- maybe adding her own imprints along the way, as well.
Ashley, a senior co-captain and leader to sister and the Spider squad, will conclude her decorated career with numerous awards and accomplishments. The two time A-10 Championship Team selection, A-10 All-Conference first team honoree, and All-Regional and VaSID second team selection has certainly made her imprints on the Spider lacrosse program and in the development of her sister. After starting every contest over the last four years, accumulating over 120 career goals, Ashley will graduate this spring concluding the Spiders' two year's of the "Friend Sister Act."
With a little help from their "Friends", the Spiders continue to rise to national prominence.
 Ashley Friend will conclude her decorated career at Richmond with over 120 goals and 150 points.
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