The report says Mara is prioritising soccer until the season is expected to end in early November, before joining the hockey programme. That arrangement was reportedly established by Watkins, with her athletic scholarship tied to soccer.
The update credits Mara with four goals and seven assists during a soccer campaign listed at nine wins, two defeats and one draw. Her workload has made rest a central issue. Watkins recalled Mara insisting she did not need days off, saying: “Ela só quer seguir em frente, e nós tentamos fazê-la desacelerar.”
That relentless mentality is part of Mara’s appeal - and part of the concern. Watkins reportedly noted that she covers more ground than any of her soccer teammates and absorbs significant contact despite her smaller frame.
Mara’s move into hockey has depended on cooperation from Katie Crowley and her players. The report says Crowley had stayed in contact with Mara during recruitment before bringing her into the group, then spoke with the squad to ease concerns about a late-arriving player competing for opportunities.
Last season, Mara reportedly missed the opening 10 hockey games, then spent a week studying video and skating before making her debut. She finished with three assists in 25 games, a contribution Crowley apparently believes justified the delayed start.
The next challenge will be another rapid transition. Mara is expected to move from a full soccer schedule into hockey, with Watkins and Crowley again balancing ambition against recovery.
Watkins’ warning is clear: “Mesmo se ela não praticasse outro esporte, haveria muito risco.” Mara’s two-sport experiment remains compelling, but its next chapter may be defined by how carefully Boston College manages the cost of asking one athlete to keep doing the extraordinary.