One of the reasons for the women’s lacrosse team’s hot start is the play of defensive stalwart Caroline Madrak ’08, but it is hard to tell by looking at the stat sheet.
After losing its first game, the women’s lacrosse team has rattled off seven consecutive wins.
Madrak, though, has not registered a goal or an assist in any of those eight games. Instead, she does her work on the defensive side of the field.
“Defensive players are the silent heroes on the field because they do not always get the recognition they deserve,” said midfielder Rebecca White ’09.
While the object of the game is to score the most goals, preventing the other team from doing so is equally as important. Madrak, a captain, is crucial to her team’s success in that department.
“We tend to put Caroline on some of the other team’s best attackers,” said Head Coach Beth Loffredo. “Caroline has an intimidating defensive presence and is a great defensive leader who impacts our team positively.”
If one looks at the stat sheet, it is apparent that Madrak leads the team in one vital category: ground balls.
Ground balls seem to be a bit of an obscure stat to those who do not follow lacrosse, but it is a stat that is often telling of both a team’s success and a player’s attitude.
“There is a 50-50 chance between you and your opponent for every ground ball, and Caroline does an excellent job of out-hustling and out-working her opponent to get loose balls,” said White. “Ground balls are key because it means possession for your team.”
Madrak’s efforts earned her MAAC Defensive Player of the Week honors in mid-March. It was the third time this year that a Stag earned the title, and Madrak was quick to point out that the awards are sometimes more about the team than the individual.
“I try to always play my best and support my teammates,” said Madrak. “Defense is not an individual effort. We need everyone to work together to make it work.
A team concept has been instrumental for the Stags’ success lately, and Madrak has helped foster that notion.
“Caroline is a very composed player,” said White, who has also been named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Week this season. “She remains focused and calm even in the most pressured situations, and she keeps everyone else on the field poised and collected as well. She plays with confidence and has a style that other players should try to emulate.”
The focus that she displays on the field carries over to her character off the field.
Madrak,is a math major and somehow, even after crunching numbers all day, still manages to be a relaxed, carefree person.
“I’m a mathlete and I like to hang out with my friends,” she said, “especially the ones who come to my games.”
Her math skills have translated to her favorite role as a team captain: calling the coin toss.
“I really like doing that. I’m five of seven, which is pretty good I think,” Madrak said. “Our team jokes that it’s because I’m a math major.”
Madrak’s teammates and coaches consider her a natural leader. She deflects attention away from herself and, instead, puts it on her team. She knows when to be a vocal leader and when to lead by example.
“Even as a freshman and sophomore she showed amazing leadership skills. She does a great job of keeping her teammates focused,” said Loffredo, who played with Madrak for two seasons before graduating in 2006. “She comes every day ready to play and improve.”
While her playing days may soon be over, Madrak said she hopes that her leadership skills and love of lacrosse will keep her in the game as long as possible, perhaps as a coach someday. Surely her personality will suit her well if she chooses to do so.
“Caroline lives the California lifestyle. She’s laid-back, friendly, funny and just loves lax,” said White. “If you don’t know her, you should really get to know her because you’re missing out otherwise.”
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