Well Heeled
North Carolina’s Megan Ward made the biggest save of 2013. Here’s how she protects her cage.
>> WHAT I DO
PICK UP THE PACE
I had to adjust to the speed of the college game fast [as a freshman]. Logan Ripley, our volunteer assistant and a former UNC goalie, really helped me with that. She had the same experience.
JOG MY MEMORY
I defi nitely remember Sammy Jo Tracy’s goal going in, but I don’t remember much about the championship game, and I don’t remember the
triple-overtime save. I had to re-watch it to piece the game together. It’s a very overwhelming experience. I do remember the moment right before Brooke Griffi n shot on me. I remember thinking, “I have to save this, or else it’s not going to be a very fun night for me.”
BORROW CLOTHES
I wear sweatpants for many reasons: to take the sting out of the ball, to hide my goofy-looking shin guards and to get the occasional sweatpants save. If you look closely at the picture at left, I’m wearing a No. 17 jersey and No. 25 sweatpants. During the ACC tournament, it rained so hard that we almost had a fl ash fl ood before the game. The crease at Fetzer Field was destroyed. I was stepping in mud pits, so my pants looked so, so dirty. So I borrowed Devin Markison’s sweatpants for the postseason, including the NCAA championship game.
My Gear
Sloane Serpe (and Margaret Corzel, not pictured) are great defenders who help me communicate with the team.
I wear guys’ fi eld gloves. They don’t have the big thumbs like goalie gloves. You can feel the ball better, and I like to have my thumb on the shaft.
My Hometown Pride
I’m glad to be experiencing another state for college, but I miss Annapolis (Md.) a lot. I miss the water, the crabs and my dog. It’s a great place to grow up. I love getting back there, especially for the Navy Fall Ball Tournament at Rip Miller Field, which is right on the water.
>> MY GO-TO DRILL
One thing I started doing at UNC was wall work. Throw the ball at the wall hard and let it bounce once and react to it. Do lots of reps. We also used reaction balls this year. You get in a low-squat ready position, drop the ball and react to it. It’s not easy, but it defi nitely gives you a leg workout.
— compiled by Clare Lochary A Publication of US Lacrosse November 2013 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 61
©LEE WEISSMAN; ©SHUTTERSTOCK
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