Karina Arakal '22 Recruiting Profile

I have been a lacrosse goalie for four years, and every time I make a save I fall in love with the game.  Although lacrosse is important to me, because of the adrenaline rush and team community,  academics is my highest priority. I work hard to keep my grades up in order to choose the college I want to go to in the future. 

I can guarantee that I will work hard and enjoy becoming better at every practice. I have been told by coaches that I have a certain type of focus 

When I started playing lacrosse I dove into the goalie position. Maybe because as an Indian girl, my parents didn't grow up with the sport, so I didn't know anything about it. I had to learn everything through first-hand experience. That decision led me to unlock a certain skill set and passion of mine. 

Being a goalie requires a microfocus on the ball to drown out the other distractions of the game and life. In all aspects of practice, my coaches have always said I have a certain type of focus apart from my teammates. During drills, I can pinpoint the skill we are working to develop and zero in on how to improve myself. Big change comes from little moments of perseverance and work.

I understand that a crucial part of being a forward moving team is listening to your teammates to grow together. Respecting one another and building a connection with them is reflected by how the team plays on the field.  To be a goalie is to be a leader. As captain of the defense, I need to understand how my other teammates operate and help them. My job as a goalie goes beyond the crease, I see more of the field than my defenders during a play, so I have the responsibility to communicate with them. 

The lacrosse ball doesn't scare me. I've heard that I have a very different physique than the typical goalie. I am short and quite skinny, but what I lack in size I make up for in agility. I rely on my quick hands and instincts. I am a quick learner who is willing to focus on honing a new skill in order to improve my game. Whether that be juggling or taking one less step during a save. I am also not afraid to go out of the crease to make or stop a play.