Live.Love.Lax. Amaya Edition
By: Sports Editor Jordie Clark ‘19
As the Chestnut Hill College’s Women’s Lacrosse team heads full throttle into the heart of their season, all eyes are on senior goalkeeper, Valeria Amaya. After four straight weeks of receiving goalkeeper of the week in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, conference teams are starting to change their strategy on how to approach CHC Lax and their brick wall of a goalkeeper, Amaya.
Amaya hails from Oakland, California and though getting a late start in lacrosse, Amaya has proved that it doesn’t matter how many years you’ve played, it depends on just how much you work at it.
After the graduation of goalkeeper Katie Joe Lang ’17, Amaya stepped up to the plate and became the starting goalkeeper her junior year. She recorded 121 saves and allowed 149 during her 690:22 minutes protecting the net. Her efforts gained her one Player of the week award and a defensive player of the week mention.
Currently, Amaya’s season highs stats consist of one caused turnover, five ground balls, 42 shots faced on goal, 16 saves, and only 19 goals allowed. Her save percentage is an outstanding .438% considering the amount of shots on goal by her opponents.
All the credit cannot be taken by humble Amaya, she owes much of her success to the strong team she has on the field competing with her. Senior Attack Macailagh Smith comments on the strong defensive unit that has worked together to keep the least amount of shots on goals as possible.
“Some games are harder than others,” says Smith. “but in practices we try all the shots we can on her so she is ready.” Head Coach Kate Scattergood also expresses how the teams efforts at practice prepare Amaya for game play.
“V puts in extra time outside of practice to make sure her conditioning and quickness is where it needs to be.” states Coach Scattergood. “Being the only goalkeeper on the team, she gets a lot of reps in practice and is constantly asking for and taking feedback on her play.”
Amaya’s work ethic is commendable as she prepares herself each day for every practice and every game. One of the top goalkeeper’s in the conference, her and her team head into conference play with confidence. “In conference, she is one of the most athletic players at her position.” states Coach Scattergood. “Her hands are some of the quickest of any goalkeeper allowing her to make saves others would not.”
Not just physically, but Amaya mentally prepares herself for each game to produce the greatest outcome. “As it gets closer to the game I get nervous and take that chance to visualize myself making saves and correcting my errors.” says Amaya. “Most of all I think about my family, wishing they were here to see my success so I visualize them on the field right when the game is going to start and play my hardest for them so they can be proud of me.”
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Along with being physically and mentally prepared, communication is a huge factor during lacrosse games and Amaya and her team must accomplish this efficiently to prevent the least amount of goals as possible. “We have to stay positive throughout the whole game picking ourselves up with quick feedback from each other.” says Amaya. “If one person goes down then we all do. We have to keep in check with each other and make sure we have each others back.”
“She shows leadership every time she steps onto the field.” says Smith. “She’s a voice back on defense and a key voice for the matter. She helps the defense know where the ball is going, when to crash on girls driving to goal and even ground balls.”
Her vocalness on the field has lead the team to great success in the past, and can only prove to stand true as the team heads into conference play.
Amaya uses her role as the starting goalkeeper to give her a say about how the dynamics on the field work. “Being the goalie for this team is a huge position and a role because my girls look up to me as I try my best to do my part and make saves.” states Amaya. “I want to prove that I have my teammates back and they can count on me to perform as always.”
Not just on the field, but Amaya is more than just a teammate, she is a close friend for most of the lady Griffins. “Off the field I keep in touch with them and make sure they are okay off the field with school and family.” says Amaya. “I reach out to my team if anyone wants to do extra work or reps in order to improve on their skills. Even on days off I’m always practicing and do extra in order to correct my mistakes and learn from them.”
Smith states, “She is always a positive, high spirited person. Whether we are blowing up our group chats for game days to practices, to always being loud, encouraging and pushing each other including herself to play the best they can. She’s also such an easy person to go to for advice, insight on how we are doing individually during practices and games. She for sure sees the best in everyone.
“Off the field, she leads by example and by putting in any extra work needed and doing what is asked of her.” says Coach Scattergood.
“My team is a pack, we have to work together and play together in order to win. A good leader can make mistakes and set an example but a great leader is learning from their teammates and their mistakes and challenges themselves and their teammates to improve.” states Amaya.
The Lady Griffins will face Post University on Saturday, March 30th at 2:30pm in their first conference competition of the season.
