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Centreville's young voice
As just a sophomore, it is often intimidating to voice opinions to a team full of upperclassmen. Such was the case for Centreville girls lacrosse goalkeeper Carolyn Macek early in the 2008 season. But as she has gained more experience each game, Macek has also become more outspoken, which is exactly what coach Sarah King was hoping for.“We've talked to her and explained to her exactly where we need her to be as far as emotion and level of play,” King said of Macek. “She is an extremely coachable player that brings everything to the table for us.”
Macek's most emotional game to date was last Friday night when the Wildcats lost to two-time defending state champion Oakton, 21-1. After several of the Cougars' goals, Macek banged her stick on the post before getting ready for the next play.
“I just try and stay fired up,” Macek said of her outward displays. “There's no use in getting frustrated. You just focus on the game and play the hardest that you can.”
Said King, “Her intensity tonight was something that we haven't seen from her. She's quiet, she's a little more reserved, but she came out like a beast tonight and really stepped it up. The scoreboard doesn't show it, but you've got to take the good with the bad.”
Though Centreville was on the wrong end of a lopsided score against Oakton, Macek's 25 saves kept it from being worse. It has been a similar story for much of the season, according to King, as Macek is averaging 20 saves per game, but the Wildcats are just 1-4 through their first five games.
“She's really stepping up and becoming a major supporting player for us,” King said. “It's been a slow and steady process, but we're very happy with her.”
Macek, who King calls a “well-seasoned athlete,” had never played lacrosse goalie before last season, but she was Centreville's varsity field hockey keeper in the fall. She impressed King during this spring's lacrosse tryouts, winning the starting job. In just more than a month with the team, Macek already feels she has learned and improved a great deal.
“It's really great being on the varsity team as a sophomore,” she said. “It's great hanging out with the older girls. It's a really good experience for me. I've learned a ton this year. I feel like I've gotten a lot better.”
With two and a half years left to mind the net for Centreville's varsity team, Macek shares the same goal for the Wildcats as King: to return the program to the prominence of years past, when Centreville won back-to-back state championships in 2000 and 2001.
“I just hope that we can get better, we can have a better record,” Macek said. “I hope our program can develop and we can grow stronger.”
Added King, “We just want to come out strong and give our all. We are an underdog in this district, for sure. We want to build and get our name back.”
As for winning another state title?
“That's every coach's goal, but small, baby steps for now,” King said with a laugh.
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