On Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, Central Bucks East senior Paige Dougherty was recognized for committing to continue her lacrosse career at the University of Pittsburgh.
Paige Dougherty – University of Pittsburgh (Lacrosse)
Major: Pre-med
Final list of colleges: Pitt, Brown, Notre Dame
Reasons for choosing Pitt: “When I stepped on campus, it immediately felt like home. I love the coaches and the girls on the team. Also, Pitt is a great school for my major, pre-med. I also love the athletic facilities - it’s ACC, so they’re big time and very nice. I also liked the city because there’s a lot to do in the city.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I think I started to realize that I wanted to play lacrosse in college when I was in middle school. Growing up, soccer was always my main sport, but I think once I hit seventh and eighth grade, I started to pivot and focus more of my attention on lacrosse and realized that’s what I wanted to pursue in the future.”
CB East lacrosse coach Kelly Tait: “I think what you’re going to hear consistently through all three of us coaches is we all will comment on Paige’s great attitude and her positivity, so it’s not fluff. We’re not just trying to come up with something to say. We all have the same feelings about her.
“Paige is the kind of player every coach wants to have on their team. She’s an exceptional student-athlete. She’s a national champion in track, a state champion in soccer and a Division I recruit in lacrosse, but beyond all of her athletic achievements, she’s a really good human. She has a great attitude, she’s always positive, she’s always respectful, she runs through drills at game speed with a smile on her face, and she’s incredibly kind to all of her teammates.
“Paige is one of our captains. She’s a natural leader both on and off the field. She carries with her a quiet confidence, and she stays calm and steady in pressure situations, which sets the tone for the rest of the team. She consistently elevates the play of everybody around her, and she makes an impact wherever she is on the field.
“Paige has worked incredibly hard to get to this point. It’s been a lot of effort, a lot of hours. She’s missed out on a lot of things because she has her sports, but it’s very rewarding to see such a talented athlete and remarkable person achieve her goals. I can’t wait to watch her compete at the next level as a Pitt
Panther.”
CB East soccer coach Jake Nesteruk: “A three-year varsity letterwinner, Paige waited ever so patiently for her shot at a starting role. And during those years on the sidelines and rotating in for minutes, she never once lost her spark and her joy for the game, for the program and her teammates. This year, she became the anchor we needed across the backline. She plays like someone who refuses to let her team down, refuses to let a moment get too big. You ask her to mark the toughest players – she doesn’t flinch. You ask her to cover ground, win tackles, make life miserable for the other team – she smiles and does it. A state champion.
“But what makes Paige special – she brings this energy, this joy that keeps everyone loose. She’s fun to be around, and then she goes out and competes like a total gamer. It’s such a rare combination.
“Pitt lacrosse is getting a kid who will show up every single day ready to run through a wall, but also someone who people naturally want to follow. Someone who makes the grind feel lighter, someone who changes the culture.
“Paige – we’re all so proud of you. Pitt is lucky to have you, and you’re going to thrive there.”
Central Bucks East track coach Steve Martin: “Paige has done tremendous in not just one sport but in three sports. She’ll leave East having her name on one of the banners in the gym that lasts forever as an All-State and All-American. That’s pretty amazing, and I think Pitt probably realized that early on, which is a reason why they pursued her.
“Paige is someone that literally stands out for her work ethic, and I could probably speak on behalf of all the coaches that she has a tremendous work ethic. But not only that, she has the most infectious positive attitude, and that’s something that as coaches we love to have, and she will continue to lead by example with that. Paige, we’ve been blessed to have you on our team and just wish you all the best at Pitt.”
About Paige:
Favorite food: Penne pasta with vodka sauce
Favorite TV show: Gossip Girl
Favorite genre: Pop
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