Impact Of A Scholarship: Taylor Hensh

Maryland dominates the women’s lacrosse landscape with an all-time leading 14 national championships, making it a decorated program that houses the country’s best players.

Families like the Henshes have doubled up and produced multiple Maryland lacrosse stars. Senior Victoria Hensh carries on the family name, but before Victoria ever stepped foot in College Park, her older sister, Taylor Hensh, left her legacy at Maryland.

Taylor laid the groundwork for the Hensh family's relationship with Maryland women’s lacrosse. She grew up playing soccer and lacrosse in Woodstock, Md, but she never intended to play college lacrosse until later in her childhood. 

“We (Victoria and Taylor) didn’t start club until sixth-grade summer,” Taylor said. “I probably started playing in second or third grade but didn’t even really start to think about the next level until middle school.”

Hensh played attack for Maryland from 2015-18 and was a pivotal member of the 2015 and 2017 national championship teams. In her career, she tallied 106 goals and 18 assists and was named team captain during her senior year in 2018. 

Hensh scored a hat trick in the Terps’ 2017 title game, resulting in a perfect 23-0 season. Overall, Maryland boasted an 86-4 record over the four years Hensh played at Maryland.  

As excellent of a career as she had, Hensh’s favorite memories go deeper than just the production on the field. When she reflected on her favorite memories as a Terp, the moments and memories with her teammates filled her heart with the most joy. 

“It’s funny because we spent all day, seven days a week on the field with practice, meals and video time,” Hensh said. “Then, a lot of the time, I had classes with my teammates. … Even if we had our little fights about being competitive or whatever, I still felt like we all loved each other.”

Beyond the field, Maryland allowed Hensh to pursue her aspirations of becoming a physical therapist after her playing career. She made the most of those opportunities, which is evident in her being named a 2017 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Three-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient while studying kinesiology and exercise science. 

After her playing career, Hensh earned her doctorate at the University of Maryland Graduate School in Baltimore. She now works as an outpatient physical therapist at FX Physical Therapy at their Columbia clinic, treating athletes and patients of all ages. 

As a scholarship athlete at Maryland, Hensh says the financial help allowed her to pay for graduate school.

“I just want to say thank you so much for supporting us,” Hensh said when asked about the Terrapin Club and their continued support of student-athletes. 

“I went into college knowing that I wanted to be a physical therapist, and help people once my athletic career was over,” she continued. “Knowing that there would be help provided to impact my future and education was super helpful.”

After her college career, Hensh became a Women's Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL) Champion with the New England Command, the franchise she was drafted 17th overall by in 2018. She also played professionally in the Athletes Unlimited Pro Lacrosse League in 2021. 

The former Maryland star has remained involved in lacrosse by coaching for HoCo Girls Lacrosse Club and giving private lessons. She previously served as an assistant coach for the Hero’s 2021 Green Team from 2018-20.

Six years after Taylor completed her collegiate career, her sister Victoria is wrapping up her career as a current senior for Maryland lacrosse. The two sisters have played each other in alumni games but never overlapped in college at the same time. 

“It’s so fun to see her play there,” Taylor said. “I love going back for the alumni games because I can actually play with her and slash against her because we always missed each other by a year or two.”

Victoria has felt the love and support from her older sister for her entire life. She says she especially feels her impact on the field. 

“My sister has impacted my career by pushing me to always strive for greatness,” Victoria said. “Seeing all of her accomplishments and accolades as a Terp has always motivated me to work hard and want those same things. She has always led the way and set a great example for me to emulate.” 

Although her on-the-field impact is massive, it’s the bond off the field between Taylor and Victoria that is most noteworthy. 

“My sister is a badass on and off the field,” Victoria continued. “She’s won every level of championship in lacrosse. She won state championships in high school, national championships in college and a professional title. Then she conquered graduate school for physical therapy. Everything she does, she succeeds in, and she always works for the things she wants. She’s been an amazing role model and always makes me want to chase greatness.”

Taylor holds family dear to her heart, and Maryland Lacrosse will forever be grateful for the Hensh family. A scholarship allowed Taylor to pursue the career she dreamed of her whole life. For Taylor Hensh, it was always more than just a game.