He started his lacrosse tenure as a freshman. He’s about to end it as a phenom. Not only is he Taylor’s all-time leading scorer, but he also holds the WHAC conference record for assists with 176. Senior Aidan Craig has truly left his mark on the game.
“I’m loving it (this year),” he said. “It’s something that can’t be re-created. I wouldn’t have it drawn up any other way.”
Craig has led the team every year in some capacity since his freshman year. He put on a show this season, setting career highs in assists and nearing a career-high in points.
Craig wanted the tone of this season to be built around team culture. He wanted to make sure the freshman class understood the definition of success beyond the stat sheet. To him, it isn’t about wins and losses; It’s about giving everything out on the field and leaving nothing else in the tank.
As the freshman class boasts 11 players, the senior class sits at 10. Craig has played with four of the seniors every year of his Taylor career. One of those special four is Carter Prieditis. The star attackman has been able to build impressive chemistry with Craig, making his job of firing the ball into the back of the net even easier.
“He’s really never worried about goals but more so aware of what he’s doing,” Prieditis said. “He cares about what he does. He cares about the guys under him and around him.”
He has been Craig’s teammate, playing alongside him all four years in purple and gray. He attributes most of the team’s success to the demeanor of the star player, citing his professionalism and caring nature as something to stand by.
Many teammates past and present are indebted to Craig, including his head coach, Chad Newhard. In his five years at the helm of the Trojans, Newhard has been able to see the foundation set for success being built by his players. As the team makes its final push to the conference tournament, he finds himself grateful for many of his players this season.
“I am so happy for the guys; they put in so much work,” he said. “They show up every day. They are high-character guys. It’s an honor to be with them.”
Newhard has seen each player become an integral part of the process of moving the team in the right direction of consistent success.
Newhard has seen Craig show up every day, playing through mental mistakes, keeping himself level-headed and bringing consistent energy to the field. Though there are only a few games left in the season, Aidan Craig won’t be remembered just for his stats. He’ll be remembered for his impact.
