In the
end, what factors influenced you the most when making the decision
to attend Binghamton?
My future teammates, I could tell that I was going to be able
to grow as a person at Binghamton.
You recently
just became the all-time leader in career goals scored here at
Binghamton, what's that feeling like and what do you attribute
this milestone to?
This season I knew I had the potential to break the record, but
I didn't know how many more goals I actually needed. I kept it
this way because I did not want to become a player who didn't
give up the ball to break a record. I wanted to focus on winning
each game versus beating a record. My mom actually mentioned
to me that I only needed two more goals to break the record.
I just thought to myself, "wow that's crazy! I can do this."
After breaking the record I was excited, but it is was not my
main goal and focus of the season. I believe I was able to break
the record because I have a great set of girls that join me every
day on the field, they push and focus me when I need it most.
When playing
in the midfield, what are your primary roles and responsibilities
on the field?
Midfielders on the defensive end are typically responsible for
marking girls above goal line extended. Depending on what defense
is being run, midfielders tend to initiate doubles, break out
deep for goal clears, pressure the ball, crash when the ball
is in the eight meter arc and pick up loose ground balls. Transitionally,
midfielders are the bridge, we connect the attacking end to the
defensive end. On draw controls, we are on the circle trying
to react to the draw to pick it up and bring it to our attacking
end. During rides, we try to help our attackers out and get in
double teams to force the opponent to turnover the ball. On the
attacking end, we keep the talk up; make sure there is movement,
control the tempo on fast breaks and slow breaks, and slow the
ball down if the game has been back and forth.
Your game
seems to evolve around power and strength, what are you best
attributes on the field and what do you look to accomplish when
attacking an opponents defense?
I think one of my best attributes on the field is my ability
to take it to cage when I feel pressure on me. I don't mind contact.
What I look to accomplish on the attacking end is very situational.
My decisions are based on who is marking who on the field, the
time, the score and what defense the opponent is in. However,
consistency in motion, cutting through the eight and looking
backside are always on my mind.
Coming into
this season, what areas of your game did you look to improve
upon?
I wanted to improve on my movement off ball, my first step, forgetting
about past mistakes on the field and not worrying about things
I cannot control on the field.
As a
member of the Leadership Panel, how would you describe your leadership
style and what approach do you feel is most effective?
I would say I lead by example. Everyday I go out and play and
run hard. I try to elevate my game everyday and hopefully by
doing so I motivate my teammates to elevate their game as well.
I believe the most effective way of leadership is understanding
how your teammates respond. Although it's not a type of leadership,
you have to understand how to speak, listen and respond to your
teammates. Each person on a team responds differently, its a
leader's job to read their teammates and be able to communicate
to them effectively so a team goal can be achieved.
How difficult
is the act of juggling both school work and lacrosse during the
season?
I don't really see it as juggling lacrosse and school work, it's
my life. I have never had a college level work load without
lacrosse so I have been in the routine of having class, practice,
school work, bus rides and games throughout my entire college
career. What helps keeps me organized from week to week, is
I prioritize and make daily and weekly goals, I hand write them
every week and cross them off as I do them.
You always
hear the expression "take it one game at a time," but
do you ever look ahead to big matchups with conference opponents
as opposed to games against non-conference teams?
Yes, I think it would be naïve to say that I don't check
up on conference opponents. But I make sure I am always taking
it day by day.
What has
been the single most memorable moment for you on the lacrosse
field here at Binghamton?
Seeing my parents every game sitting in the stands. Before every
game I look for them. I understand it's not a specific moment
but the level of support and motivation I get from them is unparallel.
They made me the athlete and person I am today. No goal can
beat seeing my parents unconditionally support me.
How do you
feel about graduating in May?
I think I'm ready, it's upsetting but I believe I'm ready. The
hardest part about graduating is the friendships I've formed,
I'm having a hard time realizing I won't be seeing some of my
best friends everyday.
Majoring
in mathematics, what are some of your career goals and aspirations?
I hope to become a high school math teacher that encourages her
students to actually take an interest in math. I do not want
my students to dread coming to math class I want them to be excited!
As we near
the conference play, what do you hope to accomplish against America
East opponents?
Winning. We want to keep building this season, last year we had
a conference win under our belt and this year we want to keep
building.
What will
you miss most about playing for the Bearcats?
The sense of community the athletes form. On the field, weight
room, classroom, campus and off campus we're always there for
each other. I'm going to miss that sense of understanding and
respect we have for each other.
What words
of advice would you lend to any incoming freshman striving to
be a collegiate athlete?
You have to think your dream/goals can become reality. However,
they do not come easy you have to work harder every day to achieve
them.
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Goal-Setter