 |
Casey
O'Brien
Drew University #32
Division III
|
 |
|
Name |
Casey O'Brien |
| Year |
Freshman |
| School |
Drew University |
| Height |
5'7 1/2 |
| Weight |
-- |
| Lacrosse
Number & Why |
32 - it's on
the goalie jersey |
| High
School & Hometown |
Ocean Township
HS, Oakhurst NJ |
High
School Achievements
& Recognition |
4 yr varsity
starter, Jr year: All Division and 3rd team All Shore Conference,
Sr year: All-Division and 1st team All Shore, selected to play in
Shore Conference Senior All Star game and New Jersey All Star Jamboree,
preseason named by the Star Ledger as the fifth best goalie in NJ |
|
College Achievements
& Recognition |
starter for highly
competitive D3 team |
| Years
Played Lax |
5 |
| Years
Played Goalie |
5 |
| Other
Positions |
none, except
for one hilarious practice as a center and a few indoor games |
| Preferred
Gear |
I wear stx ultraguards
on my shins because the not only protect better than sockguards,
but I prefer the way they rebound the ball. My helmet is a Cascade
C Pro, which I find is really good for my peripheral vision and
is a lightweight helmet. And i love my Stx Eclipse with Doc Pocket
stringing. |
| Favorite
food |
I have the most
humongous weakness for kraft mac 'n' cheese. |
| Favorite
cd |
Bright Eyes -
lifted or the story is in the soil, keep your ear to the ground,
Cursive - The Ugly Organ |
| Favorite
movie |
Better off Dead,
Boondock Saints |
| |
|
Why do
you play?
I've been playing sports my whole life : soccer, basketball, softball,
swimming, and field hockey so in 8th grade when I heard some people
in our high school were petitioning to start a lacrosse team, a
few of us from my hockey team started a petition in the jr high.
We were all excited to start a new sport in our town and from what
we had seen and heard of lacrosse we knew we'd love it. My freshman
year, the inaugural season, we had 60 people come out for varsity
and jv. Lacrosse has really grown in popularity in New Jersey in
the past few years. I stick with it now because I love it and I
can't imagine my life without it. I just love the game. |
Why are
you a goalie?
Goalie's have to have a certain attitude. We have to be fearless
in the cage. We're a rare breed, really. I was always that kid on
teams... I was a catcher when I played softball and I'm also a goalie
in field hockey. I feel it's the right spot for me on the field.
I enjoy the responsibilities which come with the position. |
|
How important is
the goalie position?
Very. When I was starting out as a keeper, coaches always explained
the position to me as being like a quarterback in football. You
are responsible for directing the defense.
You have to be vocal and able to command the respect of your
teammates. Not to mention the physical responsibility of being
the very last line of defense in front of the goal. Additionally,
a goalie is key in transitioning the ball. Smart, effective, precise
clears and support for defenders in clearing the ball are essential
for the success of a team's midfield transition. However, even
the best goalie can't be successful without a good team in front
of her. There are eleven other players on the field, without whom
a team could go nowhere. |
Any advice
for aspiring goalies?
Lacrosse is a really rough sport for the goalkeeper. Shutouts are
a rarity. A lacrosse goalie has to be able to accept the fact that
you may have 15 goals or more scored on you in a game. Mental toughness
is the number one most important attribute of a successful goalkeeper.
It's also important for a goalie (or any player) to get as much
coaching as she can. A good player is always learning. |
Quote
regarding the goalie position
You have to always keep your head in the game 100%. If you have
a good mental game and have fun all the skills will fall into place. |
“ Our freshman goalie, Casey
O'Brien, is one of these goalies who can step up and make the big
play.”
- Head Coach Kim
Christos
