Villa Walsh Star Takes LAX Talents to Georgetown

Story by Dan Gunderman

The Georgetown University women’s lacrosse team will soon have an especially successful addition to its roster: Villa Walsh Academy’s all-time leading scorer, senior class president and aspiring medical doctor, Candace Pallitto, will be packing her bags for D.C.

Pallitto, 18, a recent graduate of the academy, will be taking her talents to Division I athletics.

A resident of Chatham, she was a four-year varsity starter at Walsh. During that time, "my playing style really improved,” she said. “I just loved playing with everyone, including my sister for three of the four years.”

Villa Walsh, which had not been exceedingly successful in lacrosse state tournaments in the past, journeyed through multiple milestones during Pallitto’s time on the squad. As a sophomore she scored the winning goal of a triple overtime, sudden death state game in the first round against Kinnelon.

“My whole team surrounded me, because that was the first time we had gotten past that round,” she said. “But none of it was possible without the opportunities created by my teammates in the game and throughout the season.”

Additionally, that very season, Pallitto scored her 100th career goal. Then, as a senior, she scored her 200th, and went on to set the record for the private academy.

“One thing I’m especially proud of, is how many people have said she’s just a terrific leader,” said Carolyn Pallitto, Candace’s mother. “She’s a great player, a top student, and is well-liked by her peers and coaches. That just sets her apart a little bit.”

Having just returned from a three-day exhaustive lacrosse camp at her new school, Candace is excited for the promising career that lies ahead. 

“I’m really looking forward to it (Georgetown),” said Candace. “The academics, the lacrosse, everything. Everyone seems friendly and close, and the coaches give off great energy.”

While at Georgetown, she plans to pursue a biology degree with a focus in global health. After her undergraduate years there, she plans to attend medical school to become a doctor in the global health field.

“I’m excited to pursue my major,” she said. “It will be hard work, but really good in the long run.”

Also, she remains adamant about thanking those who have helped her along throughout her high school career.

Praising her coaches and teammates, she thanked them immensely for the hard work and effort they put into molding her as a person and a player throughout her time there.

“And none of this would even be possible if it weren’t for my family’s support. Throughout the whole process of recruitment, where there was so much work, they were there,” she said.

“And all of those long summer nights, they were there. My dad encouraged me along the way, my mom made sure I had the best opportunities available and my sister supported me on and off the field.” 

Though her on-field alias is a strong-willed, hard-working leader, off the field, she loves hanging out with friends and diving into a good book (her favorite being Laura Hillenbrand’s “Unbroken”).

At Villa Walsh, she served on the student council for three years, and was the class president for her senior year. She was apart of Morris County’s Habitat for Humanity, and helped bring their Youth United club to the school, forming the Villa Chapter.

Though their activities were low-key, she took pride in completing hands-on projects.

She was also apart of the T3 (Triple Threat) Travel Team year-round, of which she credits for a lot of her success.

This summer, she will be doing some traveling with her family, including a weeklong trip to California and she already partook in a trip to Spain with her uncle.

Despite the trek down to Georgetown next year for games, her family insists they will be at as many as possible.

“If it were up to my husband, we’d be at every single game," Carolyn said. “But we’ll be at anything in driving distance!"