Five minutes into the fourth quarter of a tight lacrosse battle. 7-6 ball game.
Nerves are high. Hands are shaking, and the Mavericks can feel the possibility of an upset becoming reality.
The Mercy Mavericks are trailing by one, trying to do the impossible. The Long Island heavy roster traveled back to the Island on a windy Wednesday night to take on the No. 1 team in the country, Adelphi University. A strong sense of belief was in the air for the Mavericks. A lapse in the substitution for Adelphi led to a goal for the Mavericks to tie at 7-7.
A late hit on the play has Grad Student and Team Captain Aidan Babnik, lying on the ground in pain, yet he is smiling. That’s just who Babnik is, the most positive person on campus who believes in getting what you put in. However, he has a secret. Nobody in the stands knows the pain he is battling through. Unless you know him personally, Because they know what the naked eye doesn’t. He is playing on a broken leg.
On Feb. 14th, 2026, the Mavericks played against Assumption University. Only Babnik’s second time touching the field, he took a hit to his lower body. The hit knocked him out for the rest of the game, a broken bone wasn’t even a thought that crossed his mind. Babnik only thought it was just a small bone bruise.
Yet, as weeks went on, his injury wasn’t showing signs of improvement as a bone bruise should. That is when his doctor showed an X-Ray to him highlighting a small break in the leg.
“It was a crushing feeling, but I felt I had a responsibility to my teammates, family, and myself to keep doing the right things,” Babnik still said with a smile on his face.
Babnik was devastated yet, he didn’t let this hardship determine his attitude. Babnik still walked around practice smiling more than ever and let the team know he will be back in uniform.
Babnik knew he had a responsibility to his teammates to stay positive and still lead by example. Babnik thought back to when he was struggling with some adversity and how he always looked to someone to inspire him.
“I’ve been the guy seeking leadership in moments of adversity. The greatest leaders I’ve followed always had unbreakable confidence in themselves and their teammates,” Babnik stated sternly.
Babnik continued to give insight on his attitude to be a leader during his injury,
“It’s something I try to emulate on the field and in my life. Being someone to turn to during a moment of adversity hurt or healthy. It is something I try to instill in every practice,” Babnik said emotionally.
Babnik showed up to the trainers room hours early to do every treatment and exercise he could to excel his recovery time. Waking up earlier didn’t matter to him, doing an hour commute to the school didn’t matter if he knew this would help him return to the field quicker.
Even though Babnik felt pain in his leg, this hasn’t been the first time he has felt pain in his lower body. On Nov. 21, 2025, Babnik and two of his teammates had set out to run to New York City to complete an Ultra Marathon distance.
The exact distance Babnik had in mind was 31.1 miles or also known as a 50k. Running an extreme distance like this teaches a runner’s mind to push through pain. Which then gives Babnik an almost upper edge on his opponents on the field.
Babnik started to chuckle when sharing his ultra marathon experience. Babnik alludes to how his own fitness capabilities gives him an upper edge.
“Lacrosse is a fast game. I don’t only want to keep up, I want to be a step ahead. My fitness journey has given me both a physical and mental edge on my opponents,” Babnik said, statingthis time way more serious.
Junior Captain Chris Bergersen, a member of his Ultra Marathon experience, highlighted how Babnik’s work ethic is one of a kind.
“Babs is always the hardest working kid on the field. It’s not even close. If there is a loose ball on the ground he is going to come up with it. No questions asked,” Bergersen shared.
Bergersen continued to share more about his work ethic.
“Babs isn’t a stranger to extra work as well, more like he is best friends with extra work. Always going a hundred percent whether it is during team lift, extra shots on the field before or after practice. Babs is an absolute work horse,” Bergersen said proudly.
Bergersen shared a little about how strong Babs is mentally and physically.
“I think I found out Babs’ ability to push through adversity during our Ultra. Babs hip gave out at Mile 15 for whatever reason. I was thinking to myself that we have 15 miles to go, is he going to be okay? Babs ran on one side of his body for the remainder of this run, and didn’t complain once,” Bergersen said laughingly as he reminisce.
Babnik being Babnik, he of course was humbled hearing Bergersen’s comments. However, he gave a little insight on his approach to why he just works so hard.
“I challenge myself on hard days (bad weather, bad performance, not feeling good), and I build confidence in myself through showing up. Which makes the days when I’m feeling good and everything is clicking better and more enjoyable,” Babnik said smiling.
Babnik being the one to tie it up in the fourth was nothing short of poetic. A pure example of resilience and strength. One leg or two, Babnik is going to always find a way to make an impact.
Babnik shared his thoughts on that tying goal. Babnik being Babnik answered in a very humble manner.
“I practice in a way that every goal feels the same. The goal is to play at an elite level 100 percent of the time. I’d be lying if I said that one didn’t feel a little better, though,” Babnik said, smiling of course.
With Babnik returning to the field, the Mavericks look to be ready to be in good shape for May. Babnik stated severely times how much he loves this team and thinks this is the group to do it.
Babnik shared his thoughts regarding why this year and season has been the most meaningful year yet.
“It’s my final opportunity to play the game that I love at an elite level. I love my teammates, I love our coaching staff, I love this group. I believe this year will end with us hoisting a trophy over our heads,” said Babnik said with a hint of sadness as he realized his playing years are coming to an end.
Even though Mercy didn’t end up beating Adelphi, (11-8 final), they won in a much larger aspect. Knowing that they can compete with anyone and getting their leader back on the field is a win in itself.
As the sun begins to set for Babnik, the Mavericks look to make a promising start to make a run in the month of May.
One leg or two, Babnik will be ready to go with a smile on his face.
