johnnash@thestamfordtimes.com

STAMFORD — The adjustment from high school to college is tough for any student.

Such adjustments are also to be had in the athletic arenas, as well. Those can be even tougher.

Two Stamford residents who shined as high school lacrosse players took their talents to a pair of colleges that qualified for this year's NCAA Division III tournament.

Both are playing reserve roles, but learning a lot and getting better because of it.

"It's interesting and fun. I'm having a good time," said Molloy, who won multiple state high school championships while playing for Fairfield Prep. "I'm getting some playing time here and there. It's a little bit of an adjustment from high school, going from being a captain and winning state championships to playing less."

When he has been on the field, though, Molloy is making the most of his time.

He's played in eight of Denison's 15 games and has scored 10 goals and assisted on six others. That puts him seventh on the team's scoring list this season.

In his first two games of the season, Molloy scored five goals.

According to Denison head coach Matt McGinnis, Molloy's already got an offensive shot that will make him a star at Dennison. The school is just waiting for the rest of his game to catch up.

"Colin is a great shooter and he's one of the best finishers on the team," McGinnis said. "But, in the role he's in, we need him to carry the ball and we're working on that. It's all about developing an all-around game and having him develop a stronger (lacrosse) IQ. But he'll set our conference on fire. We have big plans for him."

Molloy knows his time will come.

"I'm definitely biding my time," he said. "I've definitely improved my game and gotten better as a player. I'm more mature as a player. I was pretty excited after those first two games, but then I realized we played a lot tougher teams."

Denison, which is based out of Granville, Ohio, took on Widener in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament on Wednesday.

On the east coast, in Beverly, Mass., Neuman has played in six of the Gulls 20 games, scoring three goals and assisting on another. She scored two of her goals in one game and had a goal and an assist in another contest.

Neuman, who attended the Berkshire School, could not be reached for comment before Wednesday's NCAA tourney game against Amherst.

But Endicott coach Kate Mullen said her team was loaded at Neuman's position this season, but she still expects her to make contributions in the future.

"Brooke's talents are mainly in the attacking end," Mullen said. "She has a knack for quick cuts in the eight-meter, and really places her shots well. She has developed a great deal throughout the last few months and we look forward to having her take on a larger role in coming seasons."

Endicott finished at 15-5 this season.