ITHACA, N.Y. — For Cornell senior midfielder Dillyn Patten, lacrosse has always been more than a game, it's a family legacy that continues to shape her journey on and off the field.
The weekend of October 3, Patten joined Team England for a tournament in Maryland, where the squad went 3-0 against George Mason, George Washington and Towson. Patten was named Player of the Match in England's win over Towson, marking another milestone in a growing international career.
Team England's U.S. tour, running Oct. 2–12, is part of its preparation for a world tour later this summer. With Patten's fall schedule aligning perfectly, she was able to join the team for the Maryland competition.
"It was such an incredible experience to play with Team England that weekend," Patten said. "Even though most of the girls are from the UK and only get to practice together once a month, we played really well together and won all three games."
Patten's connection to Team England is one rooted in family tradition. Her father, James, was born in England and played collegiate lacrosse at Hobart before going on to represent England internationally after graduation.
"I definitely feel like I'm following in his footsteps," Patten said. "He's someone I've always looked up to."
This weekend also reunited Patten with another Cornell connection — Ashleigh Smith Gloster, a Big Red alumna who represented Team England in multiple world championships and served as a coach during the Maryland tournament.
"It was amazing to be coached by someone who's experienced both teams — Cornell and England," Patten said. "Being coached by her while playing for England like my dad felt like a full circle moment."
Team England's roster currently includes more than 20 UK-based athletes and five U.S. players, a blend that reflects the sport's growing international reach. For Patten, the experience is about much more than the wins — it's about progress and purpose.
"My goal with Team England is to keep being molded into the kind of player I know I can be," she said. "I'm working toward earning a spot in the World Games in Japan this summer and, ultimately, for the Olympics in 2028. That's the dream."
Back in Ithaca, Patten has already established herself as a consistent offensive threat for the Big Red. Across her sophomore and junior seasons, she tallied 38 goals, eight assists and 46 points, starting all 15 games in 2025 and doubling her ground ball total from the year prior.
As she enters her senior season, her sights are set on team success.
"Our goal is to be true competitors," Patten said. "We lost 16 seniors last year, so this fall has been about rebuilding and rebranding who we are as a team. What I've seen in fall ball so far is really promising — we're hungry, we're connected, and we're ready to compete."
A communications major and business minor, Patten plans to continue her education in graduate school following her Cornell graduation this spring. With one more year of collegiate eligibility, she hopes to keep competing while pursuing her advanced degree.
Athletic talent runs deep in the Patten family. Her mother, Corinne, played soccer for Cornell, and her older sister, Kendall, also represented the Big Red on the pitch from 2019–23. Patten's younger sister, Sydney, is following in family footsteps as she is currently a freshman lax player at UPenn.
Originally from New Canaan, Connecticut, Patten was a two-time USA Lacrosse All-American in high school, leading her team to state championship contention and earning Player of the Game honors in the title match. She also starred in soccer, earning all-state honors as a senior.
From her beginnings in Connecticut to her international experience with Team England, Patten's journey has come full circle — rooted in legacy, driven by purpose, and fueled by family pride and it's really just getting started.
"Cornell has given me so much," she said. "To now represent both my school and my heritage on the field — it's something I'll never take for granted."
