Shaler grad travels difficult path to success with Westminster women’s lacrosse

Jade Hromanik held her hand out so her friend’s family’s dog would feel comfortable. But the dog didn’t stay cool. The chaotic seconds that followed left everyone scrambling.

The dog leaped forward, biting Hromanik on the arms and legs. Hromanik needed assistance to pull the dog off her.

The Westminster junior and Shaler graduate’s physical damage would come in the form of 16 stitches accompanied by large bruises on her legs and arms. But there would be mental anguish as well.

Hromanik, recently named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Goalie of the Year, missed the last two matches of the season.

She is 13 saves short of setting the program record set by Emily Brink.

“I was devastated,” Hromanik said. “I was banking on playing. I knew I was capable of producing that many saves against Waynesburg.”

Hromanik has 298 saves during her first three seasons with the Titans. Having understanding teammates made things a little easier.

“I have a great support system,” Hromanik said. “All of my teammates and coaches were understanding. When I told the team I wasn’t going to be playing against Grove City, they understood. They said, ‘Do what you have to do.’”

Hromanik led the PAC this seson by making 12.44 saves per game. She finished with a .532 save percentage. In conference matches, Hromanik averaged 13.43 saves per match. Hromanik also is sixth on the team with 27 ground balls.

“She’s a loud and vocal leader,” Titans coach Bria Braddock said. “She helps clear the ball quickly and helps us be more successful in transition.”

Tackling difficult challenges isn’t something Hormanik is unaccustomed to. Neither are the fights she has with her self-worth.

Like many athletes nationwide, she didn’t have a senior high school season because of the covid pandemic. After high school, Hromanik initially pursued the military.

Hromanik made it through boot camp in the Navy, but suffered a few injuries and was medically discharged after a year. When Hromanik was looking to go back to college, it was important for her to get back into playing lacrosse.

“I think it was two years,” Hromanik said about how much time she took away from the sport. “I went to boot camp in July 2020, and I got out in August 2021. The first time I picked up a stick again was in January 2022.”

Hromanik’s self-doubt started creeping in before her sophomore season. After producing 70 saves as a freshman, Hormanik suffered a knee injury and believed she had to prove herself to get her spot back.

“There was a lot of competition,” Hromanik said. “I had knee surgery in October 2023. It was a little bit competitive. Whenever I was clear to come back again, I had to prove myself to coach Bria and give it my all.”

Hromanik won her job back and finished with over 100 saves for the first time. She took another step forward this season by piling up a league-high amount of saves.

“It comes down to having a goldfish memory,” Hromanik said. “If a ball goes in, I forget about it. I look at the scoreboard and think it’s 0-0. That’s something I’ve had to learn throughout my three seasons.”

Westminster finished the season with a 5-11 overall record and was 4-5 in conference play.

Braddock said Hromanik’s demeanor in the net has made life easier on the Titans’ defense.

“Her presence in the net is what stands out,” Braddock said. “She’s able to take the lead defensively.”

This season didn’t end as Hromanik had hoped. But things seldom have gone the way Hromanik planned. It’s given her guidance on how to chart the road to recovery.

“The game plan is to work hard in the offseason and start strong next season,” Hromanik said. “Hopefully, I can make a name for myself again.”