Q&A

Q. HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU STARTED PLAYING?

 A. I started playing at eight years old when my older brother and his buddies stuck me in the net in the backyard with some hockey pads and promised to use tennis balls. The rest was history.

Q. WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE ATHLETE (ANY SPORT) GROWING UP?

 A. Growing up in Akron, Ohio, I’ve naturally followed LeBron’s career since he first became popular in high school. Watching his journey and how he handles his business on and off the court is so impressive.

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR PLAY HUGE MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?

A. Although it wasn’t pretty, the butt end save vs. Hopkins at the buzzer in the 2015 NCAA Semi’s was always something that puts a smile on my face.

Q. WHAT SONG IS ALWAYS ON YOUR PREGAME PLAY LIST?

A. I like to let Pandora mix it up for me. Mostly rap. Anything but country music.

Q. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?

A. Prisoners

Q. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNGER VERSION OF YOURSELF?

A. Listen to your body at an earlier age. In high school, and even early years of college, your body feels great at all times. You often skip out on stretching routines, good nutrition, flexibility, pliability, and just overall consistency in the mundane tasks. I would love to go back in time and understand what works best for my body as an athlete at an earlier age. You only have so many years feeling like a million bucks. Never waste a day on getting the most out of your body.

Q. WHO IS ONE PERSON YOU (PAST OR PRESENT) WITH WHOM YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE DINNER?

A. Neil deGrasse Tyson

Q. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU’D LIKE TO SEE CHANGED IN YOUR SPORT?

A. College lacrosse needs to adapt the MLL orange ball. In today’s game, with the venues that the game is played in, goalies simply cannot see the ball. We are doing a disservice to an amazing position. There is a fine difference between not being able to track a shot due to a shooters release and or great shooting mechanics, compared to not being able to see it due to the color, stadium backdrops, and other implications. This is a feeling only a goalie understands and something needs to be done. The orange ball eliminates any and all discretion.

Q. WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE TEAMMATE YOU’VE EVER PLAYED WITH?

A. I don’t know if I’ve met a better competitor than Tom Schreiber. His approach, dedication, and commitment to his craft is incredible. He is a guy who has improved every single year of his career. Only the most elite athletes, players, competitors can say that, and he is one of them.

Q. WHO IS OR WAS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN HELPING YOU ON YOUR WAY TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE?

A. I don’t think you can reduce that answer down to one person. I’ve always obsessed over the idea of taking bits and pieces from a variety of successful people in athletics and beyond. It hits you when you realize all successful people, regardless of profession, all share common traits and characteristics. Success is something you have to respect, and I just follow successful people.

Q. DESCRIBE YOUR PLAYING STYLE IN THREE WORDS.

A. Quick. Creative. Fun.

Q. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE EXERCISE OR DRILL TO DO WHILE YOU’RE TRAINING AND WHY?

A. I always fall back to getting shots with ankle bands connecting my feet and using a short stick. This is the best combination of focusing your eye to the ball to make a save with a smaller head, and getting your feet stepping properly every time. Off the field it’s all about flexibility. I try to stay committed to morning and nighttime stretching routines on a daily basis.

Q. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PRE-GAME MEAL?

A. Grilled chicken, pasta, broccoli pregame. Then right before the game, always a quick banana and an iced coffee.

Q. TELL US YOUR FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE.

A. “Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day." – JJ Watt

Q. IF YOU COULD PLAY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE?

A. My favorite place in the world, Maryland Stadium in College Park.