In Montrose, few families are as closely tied to the rise of girls lacrosse as the Porters. For more than a decade, they helped shape the identity of Hendrick Hudson High School’s program—first by setting the standard between the pipes, then by carrying the game far beyond the Hudson Valley.

What began in 2013 with a seventh-grade goalkeeper joining varsity has grown into a multi-state legacy rooted in discipline, service, and a shared love of the sport.

At the center of that story are three Hen Hud alumnae—Mackenzie, Jordan, and Madison Porter—each forging her own collegiate path while extending the game’s reach. Madison, the youngest and a 2023 graduate, closed the family’s era at Hen Hud with one of the most decorated careers in school history, and has quickly emerged as a top goalkeeper at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). Jordan, the middle sister, has been a steady contributor at Missouri Western State University as a scorer and playmaker. And Mackenzie, the eldest, laid the foundation for it all—then turned her playing career into a calling.

Together, they represent the full arc of the Porter legacy: early opportunity, relentless work, and an unwavering commitment to give back.

Building the Blueprint: Mackenzie’s Journey

Mackenzie Porter is one of the most accomplished lacrosse players ever to wear a Hen Hud uniform. She joined varsity as a seventh grader and became a six-year starter in goal, finishing with a school-record 870 career saves. A two-time US Lacrosse All-American and multiple-time All-Section selection, she set the bar for goalkeepers in Section 1—one her younger sister Madison would later raise.

Her path to the position began almost by accident. Introduced to lacrosse in elementary school through Cortlandt’s youth program, Mackenzie didn’t become a goalkeeper until fourth grade, inspired by watching an older player. Opportunities were limited then; the sport was still growing.

“There was no real youth team. There was only a seventh and eighth grade town team. So they kind of bunched us in with those girls,” she recalled.

Guiding her throughout was her father, Robert Porter, who immersed himself in the sport alongside his daughters. From learning the girls’ rulebook late at night to volunteering at every level, he became a steady presence not just for his children, but for the wider lacrosse community. He would later help coach Jordan and Madison as well, helping build the foundation they now carry forward.

Mackenzie’s college journey, however, tested that foundation. She committed early to Rutgers University, envisioning four years as a Scarlet Knight. Instead, a foot injury limited her as a freshman, and the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly ended the following season. The combination forced her to reevaluate her path.

“When I entered the [transfer] portal, I had no idea where my career was going to go,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if I’d get picked up by another team.”

Missouri Western did—and in doing so, reignited her love for the game. The Griffons’ fledgling program offered opportunity, belief, and a fresh start. Mackenzie became the backbone of the inaugural team, earning All-Conference honors and finishing her career with more than 500 saves and over 200 ground balls. One of the highlights came off the stat sheet: sharing the field with Jordan, her sister and teammate.

She graduated in 2022 with a degree in criminal justice, later adding a Master’s degree in forensic investigations. More importantly, she rediscovered joy in the sport—and began to see a future in giving it back.

After college, Mackenzie stayed in Missouri, working in media sales while coaching locally. What struck her was how unfamiliar lacrosse remained in many Midwestern communities. So in June 2025, she asked a simple question on social media: would anyone be interested in a youth program?

The response was immediate. Within days, Mighty Mo Youth Lacrosse was born.

The mission was clear—introduce the game to girls who might never otherwise touch a stick, remove financial barriers, and build community before competition. Donations poured in, equipment followed, and an introductory clinic was held in September.

“I feel so incredibly blessed because the people in the community have responded,” she said.

Although in its infancy, Mackenzie envisions Mighty Mo as a program that welcomes every girl, from kindergarten up, and gives them a place to belong. Long term, she hopes to offer opportunities for girls to play competitively.

“I want this to be somewhere they enjoy coming,” she said. “A place where they can find their people and have fun.”

In November, her commitment to growth was rewarded when she was named head women’s lacrosse coach at William Jewell College, a Division II program in Missouri. The appointment marked another milestone: a Hen Hud goalkeeper now leading a college program, while running a youth organization designed to plant the sport’s seeds even earlier.

Through every chapter, the Porters have remained a unit. Mackenzie credits her father for his guidance, but is just as quick to praise her mother, Trina—a registered nurse and tireless supporter who documented seasons, captured memories, and became, in Mackenzie’s words, “the glue” that held everything together.

Now, Mackenzie watches from the sidelines as Jordan and Madison continue their collegiate careers. The roles have changed, but the connection hasn’t.

“Being able to watch my sisters continue to live out their collegiate careers and absolutely crush it has been such a beautiful thing.”

Madison and Jordan: Following Her Footsteps, Forging Their Own Paths

If Mackenzie built the blueprint, Madison and Jordan have expanded it—on the field, in the record book, and far beyond Montrose.

The family standard between the pipes was raised when Madison broke Mackenzie’s single-game saves record, stopping 21 shots during her time as a Hen Hud Sailor. Now entering her junior year at Eastern Michigan, Madison has quickly become one of the nation’s elite Division I goalkeepers.

A five-year varsity starter at Hen Hud and a 2023 US Lacrosse All-American, she stepped into the crease as an eighth grader and never left, anchoring the program through a Section 1 title run and earning Female Athlete of the Year honors.

Her path was shaped at home. Introduced to the sport by her father, Robert, Madison initially played the field before watching Mackenzie command the cage.

“After seeing how she ran the field and how much fun she had in the cage, I looked at my parents and told them, ‘I want to do that,’” she recalled.

Madison says she learned the fundamentals from her older sister. “We each have our own styles now, but you can see where I learned my skills from.”

A multi-sport athlete in high school, Madison thrived on staying active. “I played basketball, volleyball, and tennis alongside lacrosse,” she said. “I don’t like sitting down. I like being part of a team and being busy.”

Tall, fearless, and relentlessly competitive, she embraced being pulled up early and on the daily battles that came with earning the starting job—first at Hen Hud, now again at EMU. The results speak for themselves: MAC (Mid-American Conference) Freshman of the Year, 2025 MAC Goalkeeper of the Year, a school-record 170 saves in 2025, and national rankings in saves, save percentage, and ground balls.

At Eastern Michigan, Madison balances the pressure and leadership that come with the position while majoring in criminology and criminal justice. She envisions a future in investigations or law enforcement, and gives back through Track & Attack, the goalie training program she co-runs with Mackenzie and her father.

“I love seeing the girls grow up and succeed,” Madison said. “One of the girls I coached since high school committed to play division one, and she called me and my dad first, and it just made me feel so special.”

Currently in the offseason, Madison is gearing up for her junior campaign, set to kick off in February. EMU is coming off a strong 2025 season, highlighted by a co-regular season conference championship and a semifinal run in the MAC tournament.

Jordan, the middle sister, has carved a different but equally impactful lane. A key piece of Hen Hud’s 2021 Section 1 championship team, she is now a junior midfielder at Missouri Western, where she’s been a steady two-way contributor. In 2024 she started all 17 matches, posting 23 points while adding 21 ground balls and eight caused turnovers. In 2025, she earned All-GLVC honorable mention honors after scoring 21 goals with 10 assists.

Where Mackenzie set the standard and Madison has elevated it, Jordan has been the constant—reliable, physical, and quietly productive on both ends of the field.

“Jordan has made a big impact on the team at Missouri Western. She is someone the team can rely on to compete and bring her best everyday,” said Missouri Western women’s lacrosse head coach Jessica Berg. 

She added, “Jordan has grown into a confident, fun-loving, mature young woman who is loyal and reliable on and off the field… I am confident Jordan is going to continue making a positive impact on those around her and the children she ends up teaching post college.”

For Madison and Jordan, watching their impact reach well beyond Montrose feels especially meaningful, particularly as Mackenzie launches Mighty Mo and expands the family legacy.

“It just shows who we are as a family,” said Madison. And though she expects her playing days to end after college, she already knows the game will stay with her in the form of coaching.

When Madison graduated in 2023, it marked the first season since 2013 without a Porter in a Hen Hud uniform. The jerseys may be gone from Montrose, but the influence isn’t. It’s in the record books, in college programs across the Midwest, and now in the youth fields where the next generation is just picking up a stick.

Robert Porter, Father and Coach

If the Porter sisters are the legacy, Robert “Rob” Porter is the backbone.

For more than 15 years, Rob has been deeply embedded in the Montrose lacrosse community—coaching at every level from Cortlandt youth to modified, junior varsity, and now varsity. Named head coach of Hendrick Hudson’s varsity girls lacrosse program in 2024, the 2026 season will mark his third year leading the Sailors. He was also part of the staff for the 2021 Section 1 Class C championship team.

His journey began when his daughter’s youth league needed coaches, and he volunteered. “I pretty much stayed with them and progressed with them up until high school,” Rob said.

“It’s not easy to coach your kid, but when we stepped on the field it was coach and player—and in the car, I was dad again.”

Neutrality and accountability were non-negotiable. “They knew the expectations, so they worked three times harder than everyone else,” he said. “They didn’t want anyone thinking they got something just because I was on staff.”

Madison confirms it. “There was no favoritism. On the field, I was just another player.”

Outside of lacrosse, Rob has spent over 25 years as an Emergency Management Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and previously served as a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Army. He met his wife, Trina—now a registered nurse at Westchester Medical Center—while stationed in South Korea. Together, they raised six children, including three adopted sons, after taking custody of them in 2011.

Rob is also the founder of Track & Attack Goalie Training, Director of Goalie Development for Yellow Jackets, and a goalie instructor for 6×6 Goalie Academy. His influence has helped develop multiple All-American and All-Section goalkeepers—including his daughters.

Watching Mackenzie launch Mighty Mo Youth Lacrosse in Missouri has been especially meaningful. “I’ve always told my kids to give back,” Rob said. “Seeing her put this whole vision together and make this happen has been incredible.”

When asked what he’s most proud of, his answer is simple.

“Seeing my kids succeed and persevere. All six of them faced adversity. They’re resilient, and they’re where they are today because they didn’t quit.”

How They’ll Be Remembered 

When the last Porter jersey left Montrose in 2023, it closed a chapter that reshaped Hendrick Hudson girls lacrosse—but not the spirit behind it.

Records, titles, and accolades tell only part of the story; the rest lives on in the teammates they mentored, the players they coached, and the communities they built from New York to Missouri.

For Madison, that’s the legacy that matters most. “I just want them to remember us not because of what we’ve accomplished, but for the people we were,” she said. “Who we are on the inside.”

Reflecting on their success, the sisters said in a statement to the Peekskill Herald, “Our success was made possible by having incredible teammates around us, and achieving that level of success would have been much harder without them.”

It’s fair to say the Porters’ imprint on Hen Hud and beyond will endure long after the final whistle.