Women's Lacrosse Player Quotes
Women’s Lacrosse Media Day
February 17, 2012
Kelsey Richardson , Freshman, Goalkeeper
On her excitement for the first game:
“I am pumped for the game and trying to stay focused. There will be some nerves but I will try to keep my focus and play my best.”
On how it felt to play Team England in Florida:
“It felt good to play against them. (Volunteer assistant coach) Brett Queener has helped out a lot. I feel good and very confident.”
On how the communication with the defense has improved during practice?
“I think going through it all, it has gotten a lot better. I think we have come together as a group and feel really strong right now. We are also pushing our offense and we are making them better. I think we will have a really good year this year, which is really exciting.”
On how intense the last few practices have been since a starting goalkeeper has not been named:
“I think it is intense but I think right now we are just focusing on getting a win and being the best we can be for our team. Neither of us care who starts; we just want to be there for the team. “
On what she is working on individually:
“Focusing on making sure I complete the clear after I make the save. After that I need to make sure I keep my focus. My main thing is to stay focused at this level since it is so different than high school.”
On whether it is more difficult to prepare not knowing if she is in the starting lineup on Tuesday:
“I do not think it makes it more difficult. I think it pushes me to play harder. I like that I do not know who will be starting because it makes me a better player.”
On what advantage it gives the team that Boston College does not know who will be starting:
“It gives a great advantage to us. We have definitely improved since the fall so no matter who or what they prepare for, we are a better team.”
On whether there is any competition between you and Alyssa Costantino:
“We are friends. If anything, it is a friendly competition and we support one another since our first priority is to win.”
On whether it is intimidating to make collegiate debut against a top-ranked team:
“It is a little intimidating but I am confident. The important thing is to stay relaxed and to stay excited.”
Heather Wentz , Senior, Midfielder
On how the alumnae support group has helped as she prepares for graduation:
“It gives us access to the alumni and they reach out to help us. It is great to learn about their lives outside of lacrosse. It has helped me because through it I met someone who works for Teach for America and I have already secured a position through the same organization after graduation.”
On the Teach for America program:
“I was placed in elementary education. It gives me the opportunity to teach those who do not have the same resources many other students get.”
On how she became interested in the program:
“Having tutored children the Syracuse City District, I saw how many students who wanted to learn but did not have the resources. I am a journalism major and did not want to be a teacher in 10 years but in the near future. I hope to help those around me in this way. I want to make a difference in children’s lives.”
Alyssa Murray, Sophmore, Attack
On what aspects of her game she has been working on:
“I’m really focusing on finishing my shots because last year I would feel like I would beat a player and get a shot opportunity, but just having a little bit of freshman inexperience I wouldn’t be able to put it away all the time. So I’m just focusing on finishing the shot when it counts.”
On how as the preseason attention the team has been getting has affected preparations for the season:
“It’s always nice to get your attention here and there, but in the end we just try to focus in on the game ahead of us. We just want to focus on BC, win and ignore everything going on out there.”
On how the defense will support the offense:
“They’re going to be awesome. It’s really awesome playing against them because they are going to make us better. We have so much experience, two of our captains back there and then the goalies are really stepping up. I’ve played with Alyssa (Costantino) since I was in 6th grade on our club team. I’m happy to see her step into the role and play awesome. So I think they are going to be just fine and it’s going to be a well oiled-machine.”
Katie Webster, Sophomore, Midfield
On whether there are any changes she made to her game this year
“This year I think I am a little bit more confident. I feel like I will take it to the goal, but also teams are going to know my style now, so they are probably going to double or slide. Hopefully I can do the draw-and-dump and get an assist.”
On the chemistry of the team going into the season opener:
“I feel like we are pretty ready. This year the chemistry is so much better. I think the defense and middies have improved with communicating with each other; telling us where to slide. Last year on defense I was pretty clueless on where I was going, but this year definitely the captains Jill (Cammett), Janelle (Stegeland) and everyone are helping. They have been helping me with doubles, slides, 8 meters, everything. I think this year our chemistry on offense and defense will improve.”
Alyssa Costantino, Sophomore, Goalkeeper
On whether the competition for the starting goalkeeper job with Kelsey Richardson is a friendly one:
“It’s actually better when you make it a friendly competition because then we are cheering each other on and it’s not negative, it’s more positive. You want to work hard, make her work hard and she makes me work harder. It ends up being really well.”
February 17, 2012
Kelsey Richardson , Freshman, Goalkeeper
On her excitement for the first game:
“I am pumped for the game and trying to stay focused. There will be some nerves but I will try to keep my focus and play my best.”
On how it felt to play Team England in Florida:
“It felt good to play against them. (Volunteer assistant coach) Brett Queener has helped out a lot. I feel good and very confident.”
On how the communication with the defense has improved during practice?
“I think going through it all, it has gotten a lot better. I think we have come together as a group and feel really strong right now. We are also pushing our offense and we are making them better. I think we will have a really good year this year, which is really exciting.”
On how intense the last few practices have been since a starting goalkeeper has not been named:
“I think it is intense but I think right now we are just focusing on getting a win and being the best we can be for our team. Neither of us care who starts; we just want to be there for the team. “
On what she is working on individually:
“Focusing on making sure I complete the clear after I make the save. After that I need to make sure I keep my focus. My main thing is to stay focused at this level since it is so different than high school.”
On whether it is more difficult to prepare not knowing if she is in the starting lineup on Tuesday:
“I do not think it makes it more difficult. I think it pushes me to play harder. I like that I do not know who will be starting because it makes me a better player.”
On what advantage it gives the team that Boston College does not know who will be starting:
“It gives a great advantage to us. We have definitely improved since the fall so no matter who or what they prepare for, we are a better team.”
On whether there is any competition between you and Alyssa Costantino:
“We are friends. If anything, it is a friendly competition and we support one another since our first priority is to win.”
On whether it is intimidating to make collegiate debut against a top-ranked team:
“It is a little intimidating but I am confident. The important thing is to stay relaxed and to stay excited.”
Heather Wentz , Senior, Midfielder
On how the alumnae support group has helped as she prepares for graduation:
“It gives us access to the alumni and they reach out to help us. It is great to learn about their lives outside of lacrosse. It has helped me because through it I met someone who works for Teach for America and I have already secured a position through the same organization after graduation.”
On the Teach for America program:
“I was placed in elementary education. It gives me the opportunity to teach those who do not have the same resources many other students get.”
On how she became interested in the program:
“Having tutored children the Syracuse City District, I saw how many students who wanted to learn but did not have the resources. I am a journalism major and did not want to be a teacher in 10 years but in the near future. I hope to help those around me in this way. I want to make a difference in children’s lives.”
Alyssa Murray, Sophmore, Attack
On what aspects of her game she has been working on:
“I’m really focusing on finishing my shots because last year I would feel like I would beat a player and get a shot opportunity, but just having a little bit of freshman inexperience I wouldn’t be able to put it away all the time. So I’m just focusing on finishing the shot when it counts.”
On how as the preseason attention the team has been getting has affected preparations for the season:
“It’s always nice to get your attention here and there, but in the end we just try to focus in on the game ahead of us. We just want to focus on BC, win and ignore everything going on out there.”
On how the defense will support the offense:
“They’re going to be awesome. It’s really awesome playing against them because they are going to make us better. We have so much experience, two of our captains back there and then the goalies are really stepping up. I’ve played with Alyssa (Costantino) since I was in 6th grade on our club team. I’m happy to see her step into the role and play awesome. So I think they are going to be just fine and it’s going to be a well oiled-machine.”
Katie Webster, Sophomore, Midfield
On whether there are any changes she made to her game this year
“This year I think I am a little bit more confident. I feel like I will take it to the goal, but also teams are going to know my style now, so they are probably going to double or slide. Hopefully I can do the draw-and-dump and get an assist.”
On the chemistry of the team going into the season opener:
“I feel like we are pretty ready. This year the chemistry is so much better. I think the defense and middies have improved with communicating with each other; telling us where to slide. Last year on defense I was pretty clueless on where I was going, but this year definitely the captains Jill (Cammett), Janelle (Stegeland) and everyone are helping. They have been helping me with doubles, slides, 8 meters, everything. I think this year our chemistry on offense and defense will improve.”
Alyssa Costantino, Sophomore, Goalkeeper
On whether the competition for the starting goalkeeper job with Kelsey Richardson is a friendly one:
“It’s actually better when you make it a friendly competition because then we are cheering each other on and it’s not negative, it’s more positive. You want to work hard, make her work hard and she makes me work harder. It ends up being really well.”
