The senior has a career-high 18 goals from the midfield position, helping the Skyhawks reach the NCAA Division 2 tournament. Stonehill plays at defending national champion Adelphi on Saturday afternoon.
Jillian Yung of Bridgewater has always been acquainted with lacrosse, thanks to her father, Francis, who played for the Minutemen in the 1970s and retired last year as the OA coach.
"I've seen him coach and knew he played,'' said Yung, "and it sparked my interest.''
Yung was on one of the first Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High girls lacrosse teams, and after graduating, wanted to keep playing in college.
She wound up not far from home at Stonehill College, playing 75 games over four years for the Skyhawks.
Yung has put together her best season this spring from the midfield position, scoring a career-high 18 goals in 19 games after getting 19 combined the previous three years.
The senior, who graduates on May 17 with a degree in business management, will be in Garden City, N.Y., today as Stonehill faces defending Division 2 national champion Adelphi in the NCAA tournament opener.
From her days playing youth lacrosse to B-R to Stonehill, Jillian Yung is thankful for the role her father has had in her career.
"My father is a big influence for me,'' she said. "Even during games, I'll look up into the stands to make sure he thinks I'm playing well. He'll give me the thumbs up or thumbs down kind of thing.
"I talk to him all the time about how I can improve, what he things I need to do better. He's definitely the biggest influence I've ever had.''
Yung attended summer lacrosse camps at Stonehill when she was in high school, and Skyhawks coach Katie Conover took quick notice of her.
There was something about the way Yung played the game that stood out right away.
"I said that this kid can really play defense,'' said Conover. "She had a lot of the fundamental defense that most kids, even from some of the best programs in the state don't have.
"Her dad has always been working with her in the offseason and teaching her and coaching her up and it's definitely made a difference. She had a lot of the fundamental skills defensively that most kids don't have coming into college.''
Yung started six games and appeared in 17 as a freshman, getting six goals and two assists, then appeared in 20 games as a sophomore, scoring six goals with four assists before netting seven goals in 19 games as a junior.
This season, Yung has been more productive on offense while continuing to be a pesky defender for Stonehill.
"I think I've improved so much,'' said Yung. "I can't even put a number on it. I came in as a scared little freshman who didn't think she'd see the field at all and now I feel more confident than ever.
"I can't help but thank my coach for that. She pushed me to points of stepping outside my comfort zone. I think that's how I became the player I am today.''
Yung has contributed to Stonehill's success and will be taking part in her second NCAA tourney today.
"She's definitely gotten better every single year,'' said Conover. "Jillian has been a pretty integral part of our team since her freshman year. She's a kid that always sets personal goals, always works hard in the offseason.
"She's a really important piece of the puzzle. She's come up big for us in a couple of big games for us this year.''
Now, Yung's career is winding down as the Skyhawks bid for a national championship starting today.
"I still remember the first day of my freshman year,'' said Yung. "It's insane I'm graduating now. I couldn't have asked for a better four years at this place.
"Win or lose, I'm not going to hang my head because I wouldn't have wanted to play with any team but this team.''
Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.