N I A G A R A G A Z E T T E niagara-gazette.com
April 29, 2010NIAGARA FALLS — Grand Island girl’s lacrosse team captain Sara Victor
engages herself in just about anything she can set her sights on.
The junior attack midfielder is not only a great athlete as a lacrosse and
soccer player, but she also prides herself academically as well, participating
in the high school’s band, and serving as her class president, too, said head
coach Nicole Marabella
With that said, it is no secret Victor is willing to get her nose dirty on the
lacrosse field no matter what the situation.
“She is such a leader in her actions — not afraid to go anywhere,”
Marabella said. “She gets hit in the head all the time because she is in the
action and she’s not afraid of that...But that’s what you have to do. When
you play, you have to play wholehearted and that’s what she does.”
Victor has had no problem leading by example. Her athleticism has been a bright
spot for the #-# Vikings, as she leads the team with ## (16 through Tuesday
4/27) goals. Last season, she garnered first-team all-Niagara Frontier League
honors after posting a team-high 35 goals and 12 assists.
“We’re 1-6, but it really doesn’t show what we actually have on the team
and Sara is a big part of that,” Marabella said. “She is a big asset to the
team. Not only is she a captain and a goal scorer, but she is a feeder and great
assist leader on the team.”
Victor, however, said she prides herself on more than just finding the twine and
setting up her teammates.
Despite her position as a midfielder, Victor defends her goal with the same
intensity that she has when she’s firing her hard, quick shot on the opposing
netminder.
“I feel like I’m always running,” Victor said with a laugh. “I
definitely think defense is just as important as offense, if not more important.
If you don’t have good “D” you can’t get up field to go score.”
The Vikings squad called up Victor when she was just an eighth grader, Marabella
added. Since then, the coach said, her star player has blossomed into a model
leader for the rest of her teammates.
Aside from working hard from start to finish, Victor is more apt to “go about
leadership in a more positive manner opposed to yelling which sometimes can
happen when you’re 1-6,” Marabella said.
“Leadership is one of the most important parts of a team for sure, and if you
don’t have that then your team just isn’t there because you won’t work
together,” Victor said. “You need people on your team to show example and
make the team want. It’s very important.”
Victor is quick to note her experience over the last few years has certainly led
to her vast improvement, as well as the way she sees the field.
“Year after year playing on varsity definitely makes a difference” she said.
“Even by playing all these great teams, you learn by watching other players.
You just grow as a player every game.”
Nonetheless, her offensive ability and defensive prowess may be enough to propel
her into a strong NFL Player of the Year candidacy for her efforts.
Regardless, though, Victor said she isn’t worried about achieving individual
accolades.
“When I’m on the field, it’s just about being a team,” she said. “If
you put yourself before the team then you’re not going to go anywhere. So,
when you’re on the field you have to put all that aside.”