As North Hills lacrosse star’s confidence grows, so does her goal total

By: Josh Rowntree
Saturday, April 20, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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The last year has been one of budding confidence for Abby Krogmann.

The North Hills senior lacrosse standout went over the 200 career goal mark on April 4 in a 9-4 win over Butler, the culmination of a growing belief in her abilities on the field.

“Every year I try to set a goal to score as many goals as I can,” said Krogmann. “This year, my mark was 250 (career goals). Hitting 200, it’s so crazy to think that I could even hit that. When reaching for 250, it was a hope, but definitely attainable.”

Krogmann was humbled by the love shown to her from those closest.

“To have all of my teammates support me, it’s something you really think about,” she said. “I went home that night and was so happy. My family was proud of me and my friends were proud of me. It’s something you work hard for and it’s really relieving when you accomplish your goals.”

Her coach, Angela Kryl, has seen it coming.

“It’s been really rewarding to watch her develop as a player and a person,” said Kryl, who started coaching Krogmann in club lacrosse in seventh grade. “I’m really excited to see what’s to come in the future, as well.”

That future includes a commitment to play lacrosse at Duquesne next season. It was an offer and a path that caught Krogmann off guard.

“I went to a camp and the Duquesne coach was there,” she said. “She spoke to me afterwards and was telling me about her school and how I’d be a really good fit there.

“I had hoped that I’d go D1, but I really did not think that I was ready or good enough for that. When she offered me the spot, I was speechless. I actually didn’t realize it at first. She had to text me later and was like, ‘Hey, are you interested?’ It went right over my head.

“When I got the offer, I took it. It’s always been a dream of mine and I wanted to pursue it.”

But that dream didn’t initially include staying in Pittsburgh for as long as she now intends. Born in California, Krogmann moved to Pittsburgh when she was 7 years old — a cross-country trip that she remembers vividly.

“It was me, my parents, my sister and two cats, all in one car,” she said with a laugh. “We stayed in all these hotels. I don’t remember much of my California life, but I definitely do remember moving here.”

Krogmann desired to leave Pittsburgh for college, though, initially.

“I had the hope of moving way, far south,” she said. “I wanted to get to the warm weather and escape Pittsburgh. I feel like I’ve been here for so long.

“But the second I received the offer, I realized that my parents will be able to watch me. My little sister, who I really idolize, I want her to have a bigger impact on my life. Plus all of my friends and my coach can come watch me. Having that audience helps push me on the field.”

While at North Hills, Krogmann hasn’t just limited herself to playing lacrosse. She referees and coaches both youth lacrosse and soccer — a sport she played up until last year.

The desire to help kids is at the forefront of her plans to major in early childhood education and special needs education.

“I really like to make an impact for young kids,” she said. “I babysit, I coach, I ref — not only for lacrosse but also for soccer. It’s nice to see that you can have an impact on young kids and help them out, especially in coaching. At the beginning of the season, the kids can barely kick or catch the ball. And by the end of the season, they can.”

Krogmann has also stepped outside of the sports realm, participating in North Hill’s fall musical production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

“I really, really wanted to go into the musical every year,” she said. “But I was nervous. All of the other kids have done (acting) programs, and I just did classes. But I auditioned this year and got in, and it was really fun. I’m glad that I could.”

But her biggest focus is on the field, where she has taken on a large role for the Indians, and one that involves a hefty amount of leadership, both between the lines and outside of it.

“For any senior, being a leader is something that doesn’t always come naturally,” said Kryl. “But Abby has definitely taken on that role in her time from middle school to high school.”

Following last year’s quarterfinal playoff loss to Mt. Lebanon, Krogmann and the Indians hope to go a little further.

“One of my biggest goals is to not only make it to the playoffs, but to win playoff games,” she said. “Last year we made it to the playoffs, but we lost in the second round. This year I’m looking to at least make it to the third round, or maybe win the whole thing.

“It’s definitely going to take a lot of hard work. If we push ourselves, we can make it.”

Tags: North Hills