Nobody knows Carthage women’s lacrosse like Maddie Berni. The River Forest, Ill. native appeared in 69 career games in a Firebird uniform in five seasons from 2019 through 2023. She has been an All-CCIW honoree, a CCIW RESPECT award recipient and ended her career with 194 career points – eighth-most in Carthage history.
 
You can also add head coach to her Carthage resume. Last September, just 17 months after her final game as a player, she was appointed the program’s sixth head coach.
 
In year one as head coach, Berni would lead the Firebirds to 13 wins, a second-place CCIW finish and their fourth trip to the CCIW Tournament championship game since 2018.
 
FINDING A LOVE FOR THE GAME
Long before her success in Kenosha, however, sports were a big part of Berni's life growing up. She was active and always enjoyed trying new things – including lacrosse.
 
Her introduction to lacrosse came through her local park district, and she decided to give it a shot. It was a seemingly random decision that would shape the course of her life.
 
"I was playing for the Illinois Girls Lacrosse Association (IGLA), which was a small club at the time," Berni said. "It has grown since then, but back in the day, there were only a few locations. I played for them and fell in love with the sport."
 
As she continued to play throughout grade school, Berni's passion for lacrosse kept growing. As she neared high school, she faced a dilemma. The school she was going to attend – Trinity High School in River Forest – didn't have a lacrosse program. However, fate intervened, and in her freshman year, the school started its lacrosse program. Berni made the varsity team as a freshman, and her lacrosse path continued.
 
"I didn't even think about playing a sport in college," Berni said. "It wasn't until my junior year of high school that I started getting recruited by colleges – including Carthage. I fell in love with the campus, the team, and the coach at the time."
 
THE COVID EXPERIENCE
Berni's college lacrosse career began in 2019 under ordinary circumstances. Everything changed when the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted college athletics in 2020. Her team's season was cut short after just seven games, and she found herself in a world of uncertainty.
 
"I was really close with the seniors at the time, and not being able to see them and play with them was tough," Berni said. "We had team Zoom calls, but it was just strange. Coming back for my junior year was an adjustment too, with masks and everything. It was challenging, but it also taught me not to take anything for granted."
 
The return to normalcy after the pandemic was a turning point for Berni. Lacrosse became a source of stability and connection in a world that still felt uncertain. It reaffirmed the importance of camaraderie and the friendships she had made through the sport. In 2022 – her fourth season – she piled up 74 points, 60 ground balls and helped the Firebirds reach the CCIW Tournament championship game.
 
"I think it changed my perspective," Berni said. "I started playing every day like it could be my last. I wanted to try harder and be better because you never know when it might end."
 
FROM STUDENT-ATHLETE … TO HEAD COACH
After her fifth year as a player, Berni found herself at a crossroads. She had always been passionate about nursing and had pursued that as her major at Carthage.
 
However, life had different plans for her.
 
"I ended up coaching high school and club lacrosse," Berni said. "And then, this opportunity to be the head coach at Carthage came up. If you had asked me a year ago if I would be doing this, I would have said no. But I love it. Life can take you down different paths, and this is the one I'm on right now."
 
Transitioning from player to coach was not without its challenges, especially since Berni was coaching some of her former teammates. It required setting boundaries and establishing a new dynamic.
 
"I give so much credit to those girls," Berni said. "They made my life so much easier. They respected me in this new position and never gave me a hard time. It was a smooth transition because of their support."
 
The first season as head coach was a learning experience for Berni. She quickly realized the weight of responsibility that came with the role.
 
"It was surprising to be the one making all the decisions," she said. "As a player, you don't see all the behind-the-scenes stuff. But it was fun to learn and gain a new perspective on everything."
 
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
As Berni reflects on her journey from player to coach, she is excited for the future of women's lacrosse at Carthage. She knows that there will be ups and downs, but her experience has taught her to take each day as it comes and give it her all.
 
"I'm excited for what's to come," Berni said. "I want to continue the success we've had in recent years and strive for a conference championship. We have a great incoming class, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together."
 
Berni's story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the love for a sport that found her when she least expected it.