You can’t talk about the absolute tear Towson University women’s lacrosse went on in the early 2010s without talking about the engine room. Sure, the goal scorers get the headlines—that’s just sports. But real ones know the game is won in the scrum, in the transition, and in the leadership that keeps a locker room from fracturing during a brutal season. That’s where Kelly Murkey lived.
I’ve been following the CAA for years, and watching Murkey come up from Westminster was something else. She wasn’t just a local kid making the roster; she was the heartbeat of a squad that decided being “good” wasn’t enough. They wanted to be a dynasty. And for four years? They basically were.
We aren’t just reciting a stat sheet today. I want to take you through the grind of her career, the specific numbers that prove her value, and that one time she stared down the US National Team and didn’t blink.
Also Read: Alexis Maas and Kandi Barbour
Key Takeaways
- The Role: A relentless Midfielder (2011-2014) who evolved into the team’s defensive anchor and Captain.
- The Hardware: Four consecutive CAA Regular Season titles. She never knew a season where they didn’t finish on top of the league.
- The Legend: Captained the squad that knocked off Team USA in a fall-ball scrimmage—a story that still gets brought up in Maryland lacrosse circles.
- The Numbers: 73 games played, 55 draw controls, 40 ground balls, and 25 goals.
- The Clutch Factor: Named to the 2014 CAA All-Tournament Team when it mattered most.
Who Was Kelly Murkey Before the Tigers Jersey?
Let’s rewind to Carroll County. If you were paying attention to Maryland high school sports back then, Murkey’s name was already circling. Westminster High School didn’t just have a lacrosse player; they had a pure athlete.
I love looking at high school dual-sport athletes because it tells you about their motor. Murkey didn’t just play soccer; she captained the team. She played varsity hoops. But on the lacrosse field? She was putting up video game numbers. Senior year, she dropped 41 goals. Impressive, right? But look at the assist column: 52 helpers.
That tells me everything I need to know. Most high school stars want to score. Murkey wanted to win. She dragged the Owls to the state semifinals four times. She arrived at Towson already knowing what a playoff run felt like, and that experience is something you can’t teach freshman year.
Did She Actually Make an Impact as a Rookie?
Usually, freshmen sit. They learn the system, they carry the water bottles, they get a few minutes in a blowout. Murkey didn’t get that memo.
In 2011, she stepped onto the field for 18 games and started 15 of them. That is absurd for a D1 rookie in a program chasing championships. I remember her debut against UMBC—local rivalry, nerves usually high. She didn’t look rattled. She snagged a goal and two ground balls immediately.
She finished that rookie campaign with nine goals and four assists. The CAA coaches noticed, too, slapping an All-Rookie Team honor on her resume. It wasn’t about flashiness; it was about consistency. She was the kid who would dive for a loose ball on a Tuesday practice just as hard as she would in a Friday night game.
Why Was 2012 the Year She Became a Problem for Opponents?
If 2011 was the introduction, 2012 was the breakout. This is the season where I think we saw the peak “two-way” version of Murkey. She started every single game—20 for 20.
Check the stat line, because it’s weirdly beautiful:
- 10 Goals: Enough to keep defenses honest.
- 6 Assists: Keeping the ball moving.
- 24 Draw Controls: This is the big one.
Possession kills in lacrosse. If you have the ball, they can’t score. Murkey had a game against Oregon that February where she hauled in four draw controls herself. She was scrapping for everything. She added 14 ground balls and caused eight turnovers that year. She was essentially a Swiss Army Knife for the coaching staff—need a goal? Send Kelly. Need the ball back? Send Kelly.
The “Team USA” Game: Did That Really Happen?
Alright, pull up a chair. This is the story that defines this era of Towson lacrosse for me. It’s Fall 2013. The Tigers are tuning up for the season, and they have a scrimmage on the docket against Team USA.
Yes, that Team USA. The best players in the country.
Most college teams go into that game hoping to get a few autographs and not lose by 20. Murkey, now a senior captain, wasn’t having it. The Tigers went out there and beat them. It was an exhibition, sure, but the psychological impact of that? Massive.
Murkey called it her favorite on-field memory, noting, “It showed us just how good we can be.” When you beat your idols, you stop fearing your conference rivals. That game set the tone for the entire 2014 title defense.
How Did Her Role Shift When She Got the “C” on Her Chest?
By 2014, the team needed something different from her. They had younger scorers stepping up, so Murkey shifted gears. She became the “General.”
As a co-captain, she moved into a more defensive midfield role. Her goal scoring dropped (just 2 goals that year), but her influence skyrocketed. She was the one organizing the transition, yelling out coverages, and making sure the intensity didn’t dip.
She described herself as a “leader by example,” which is code for “I’m going to outwork you, so you better keep up.” She helped lock down the midfield for a team that won its fourth straight regular-season title. You don’t get four rings by accident. You get them because players like Murkey sacrifice their personal stats for the team structure.
What Happened in the Tournaments?
Some players shrink when the bracket comes out. Murkey got bigger.
I looked at the game logs for the postseason, and she was constantly making plays that don’t always show up on ESPN, but winning coaches love them.
- 2012 NCAA Tournament: Towson is fighting for its life against Penn State. Murkey logs a goal and an assist. She wasn’t hiding; she was attacking.
- 2014 CAA Semis: Against Hofstra, she scored the opening goal. That’s a captain’s move. calm the nerves, put one on the board early, let everyone breathe.
- 2014 NCAA Tournament: In her final run, against Stony Brook, she matched a career-high with three ground balls.
She was named to the 2014 CAA All-Tournament Team. That’s the voters acknowledging that even without scoring a hat trick, she was one of the most important players on the field.
Why Do We Call Her Class the “Legacy” Group?
I talk about “legacy” a lot, but Murkey’s class actually earned the title. Think about what they accomplished in four years.
- Four Straight Regular Season Titles: They literally never lost the league crown.
- Three CAA Title Game Appearances: Dominance.
- Back-to-Back CAA Championships: They didn’t just get there; they finished the job.
Murkey told the press, “We laid the groundwork for those behind us.” And looking at Towson’s success in the years following her graduation, she was dead right. They built a culture where winning was just… normal.
The Education of Kelly Murkey (Off the Field)
It’s worth noting she wasn’t just a jock. She was an Elementary & Special Education major. I’ve always felt that players who study education make the best captains. They have patience. They understand that everyone learns differently.
She talked about a team trip to San Francisco in 2014, crediting that bonding time for their on-field chemistry. It shows a level of maturity—understanding that the pass you catch on the field is a result of the trust you built off it.
The Cold Hard Stats (Career Breakdown)
Let’s look at the receipts. Here is exactly what she produced over four years in the Black and Gold.
| Season | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | GBs | DCs | CTs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 18 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 4 |
| 2012 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 16 | 14 | 24 | 8 |
| 2013 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 4 |
| 2014 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 14 | 10 |
| Totals | 73 | 25 | 11 | 36 | 40 | 55 | 26 |
GBs = Ground Balls, DCs = Draw Controls, CTs = Caused Turnovers
You see that spike in caused turnovers (CTs) her senior year? That’s her evolving into a defensive stopper. That’s her doing whatever it took to get that last ring.
Why Does This Matter Now?
Look, college sports turn over fast. New names, new stars. But you have to respect the foundation. Kelly Murkey represented a time when Towson Lacrosse wasn’t just participating; they were dictating terms.
She was the ultimate “glue guy”—the player who filled every crack in the roster, took the tough assignments, and led by grinding. In an era where everyone wants to be the star, Murkey was happy being the engine. And that’s why her name still carries weight around Unitas Stadium.
If you want to see where that legacy stands today, check out the current standings over at TowsonTigers.com. The names change, but the standard she helped set? That’s still there.
FAQs – Kelly Murkey
What was Kelly Murkey’s role on the Towson University women’s lacrosse team?
Kelly Murkey was a relentless midfielder who evolved into the team’s defensive anchor and captain, playing a vital leadership role from 2011 to 2014.
What achievements did Kelly Murkey accomplish during her college lacrosse career?
She won four consecutive CAA Regular Season titles, captained the team that beat Team USA in a scrimmage, played 73 games with significant stats, and was part of the 2014 CAA All-Tournament Team.
How did Kelly Murkey’s high school years prepare her for college lacrosse?
She was a standout athlete at Westminster High School, excelling in lacrosse, soccer, and basketball, which built her competitive motor and leadership skills, and she helped her team reach the state semifinals multiple times.
Did Kelly Murkey have an immediate impact as a freshman at Towson?
Yes, she started 15 out of 18 games in her freshman year, scoring 9 goals and earning All-Rookie Team honors, showing her ability to perform under pressure early on.
What is the significance of the game against Team USA in Murkey’s career?
It was a pivotal moment when Towson beat Team USA in a fall-ball scrimmage, boosting the team’s confidence and marking a highlight in Murkey’s leadership, exemplifying her competitive spirit.
