Kristianna Purington is not only a leader, she’s a leading scorer, too.

The Bishop Guertin junior has used her outgoing personality and offensive prowess to help the girls lacrosse team to an 11-2 record and the No. 4 seed in the Division II postseason.

Oh, by the way, Purington scored the 100th goal of her career on May 13 against ConVal, one of 48 tallies during the 2009 regular season.

Yet the century mark of scores means less to the Bedford resident than the 36 assists she’s collected in 2009.

“When I think I have a good game, it isn’t based on how many goals I score,” said Purington. “Assists get the goals, so it’s just as important for me to get those.”

For her efforts, she has been named the Indian Head Athletics Athlete of the Month for May.

During her freshman year, Purington showed her leadership when she approached the school’s athletics director to inquire about starting a field hockey program.

Tony Johnson told her she was welcome to try.

Several students had done so before, but not one generated enough interest to start a team – not until Purington, that is.

Less than three years later, the program participates with other Class L competitors.

“She was able to incorporate a lot of girls into the athletic program who wouldn’t have played sports otherwise,” said BG’s field hockey head coach, Steve Duprat. “She’s going to be successful at whatever she chooses because she has that drive. A lot of other kids feed off of that and want to be at the same level as her.”

Though Purington has another full season at Guertin, lacrosse coach Ron Cote has already began to prepare for the junior’s departure.

During practice, Cote has Purington work with the younger players, teaching them skills she has already developed.

“Without being a formal captain, she’s one of the leaders of the team,” said Cote. “She has this unique ability to rally the kids around her to be successful in whatever they’re looking to do. Just with her being part of it, she’s a spark that gets things going.”

Cote said Purington isn’t a captain because he almost always gives that title to multiple seniors. Captain or not, Purington said she thrives on gaining the respect of her teammates.

“It’s almost natural to me, being a leader,” said Purington. “I don’t care if I don’t have the role, I still want to be looked at as a leader to my teammates.”

While the athletic Purington was talented upon her arrival as a freshman, Cote said it’s her love of lacrosse and motivation to improve that have helped her stand out in D-II play.

During her freshman year, Purington took over the starting center position, where she is best able to control the draw when her team must gain possession.

Thanks to Purington’s drill work with younger teammates, Cote is likely to see his star player’s style continue for years to come.

“By having her so close with the underclassmen, I can have someone who’s been under her wing a bit,” said Cote. “I want to keep her abilities with this team as long as I can.”

(Editor’s note: The Athlete of the Month receives a $50 gift certificate courtesy of Indian Head Athletics.)