Cenci and McClain Continue Athletic and Academic Journey Abroad
6/20/2025 1:00:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
LEWISBURG, Pa. — Women's lacrosse seniors Carly Cenci and Taylor McClain recently graduated from Bucknell and have both decided to continue their athletic and academic careers abroad. The student-athletes are both headed to Nottingham, England this fall to pursue masters degrees and continue playing lacrosse.
"One of the main things I always wanted to do at Bucknell was go abroad. I never got the chance to because of lacrosse, so this opportunity was the best of both worlds for me," said Cenci.
Cenci will be pursuing a masters degree in entrepreneurship, innovation and management and McClain will be pursuing a masters in international business. Both women will also be a part of the University of Nottingham women's lacrosse team.
"The University of Nottingham seems like a very similar university and community to Bucknell which immediately attracted me to the school. They have high performance athletics while also prioritizing students' education," said Cenci.
As the two young women are getting ready for this next step, they are both looking forward to being able to grow and take in a new culture.
"I'm excited to share new experiences and cultures with my future teammates and compete for a national championship," said Cenci.
Travelling abroad will be a unique experience with challenges for both of these student-athletes, but they will have the sport of lacrosse as their constant throughout this big change.
"I think the most challenging part of this will be adjusting to a completely new country that I've never been to," said Cenci. " Finding similarities, but also embracing anything new will be important for me to adapt."
Besides lacrosse being a constant that travels with them, they will also have each other to lean on throughout the journey.
"It means the world to me to have one of my teammates going with me," said Cenci. "I wouldn't be pursuing this opportunity if it wasn't for Taylor, so I am grateful to share this next chapter with her."
While the upcoming new experience will be both exciting and challenging for Cenci and McClain, both feel prepared for what is to come thanks to their experiences at Bucknell.
"Bucknell made me feel confident that I can balance rigorous academics with my athletics and social life," said Cenci. "The time management skills that I have improved on during my time at Bucknell will be very helpful for me in the future."
Women's lacrosse is still an emerging sport in England, so these student-athletes will now take their four years of collegiate athletics experience at Bucknell and bring it to a new country to be a part of the growth of the sport they love.
Cenci and McClain will pack their bags and head to the University of Nottingham in early September to begin this new and exciting next step in their lives.
