Carlie Van Tassel '20 Recruiting Profile

Goals & Aspirations

At this time, I am still researching and learning about potential career paths.  However, I am looking to pursue a career that will keep me active, and allow me to give back to the community.  

I aspire to be the best field hockey player I can possibly be.  It is important for me to contribute positively to any program, and to continue to learn and develop.   I hope to be mentored, and become a mentor over time.

What makes me a good candidate?

I am a fiercely intense competitor.  While there will be some days that are better than others, I will always give my coach, and my team 110%.  In addition, I am a solid teammate.  I believe for a team to be it’s best; it takes more than just skills.  It is important to have empathy towards one another – and to ensure every teammate feels included.

What makes me different than other recruits?

I think I’m probably a lot like other recruits, in the sense that many of us have the same desires.  However, my experiences over the years have made me who I am today.

Like most kids, I began my athletic career playing soccer.  However, after finding a pair of my grandfather’s old hockey skates, I decided to try skating.  By the age of eight, I was playing competitive ice hockey with the boys.  Over the years, I’ve played on several teams, and this was crucial for my personal growth, because I learned how to adapt to different environments, styles of coaching, and organizations. 

In middle school, I was approached to play field hockey because of my ice hockey background.  I tried it, and found that I really liked it.  It was a new experience, trying to control a ball, while running up and down a field full of divots and holes.  However, it was fun- and really my first experience playing with my school friends.    These girls have grown through the years with me, and today, many of us still play together.    This is where I learned to have pride in my school, my team, and my friends.

In addition to field hockey and ice hockey, I am also a lacrosse goalie.  This position gives me a very unique perspective.  Being a goalie means that many times, it comes down to you.   Of all the sports I’ve played, this position is the most physically and mentally demanding.  However, I’ve grown immensely both mentally and spiritually.  I’ve learned to celebrate the wins, learn from the losses, and know that tomorrow always brings a new day.  

All these things make me unique.  I’ve learned to treat people the way I want to be treated.  I’ve learned that drama and bad behavior can destroy a team’s ambitions.  My ambition to continue to become the best person, and the best player I can be.

Today, I carry a 3.6+ GPA, and play three sports

• Varsity field hockey
• Varsity ice hockey w/boys
• Lacrosse