:10 Seconds with Casey Curran

It may be hard to believe, as there is a bunch of snow on the ground around the campus of Plymouth State University, but lacrosse season is underway. For one player on the women’s lacrosse team, she is finally getting her chance to shine after sitting behind 2014 All-American Lorin Field. This player is Casey Curran, who is getting her chance to show what kind of lacrosse player she is in 2015.

Over the past three seasons, the English major has received a few chances to step in net, and did a phenominal job. In 2013, against Connecticut College, as well as Keene State College, Curran came in, was able to stop a number of shots in the second half of each respective game, and allowed the Panthers to comeback in each game for a PSU victory. Since then, Curran has been able to learn a lot from Field (who is back this season as a coach), and will look to show that she can potentially be as good, if not better, than that of Field.

1. How long have you been playing lacrosse for?

I started playing lacrosse in fourth grade, so this will be my 13th year of playing.

2. How does the lacrosse team look for the 2015 season?

I think we look awesome! We have an extremely talented and hard working team this year, and we are ready to defend our title. The pressure is really on us this year, and the target is definitely on us more than ever, but I think everyone one on this team is ready for the challenge. We have been busting our butts this preseason, as we all share one common goal of winning championships and we won’t stop until we get there.

3.What is your most memorable moment in your lacrosse career?

My most memorable moment was sophomore year when I was put in during the Connecticut College game when we were down by 7. We were able to comeback and win in double-overtime sudden-death. This was a huge moment for our team because we were the underdogs in that game that we “had no business winning” but were able to prove to everyone that we could play with the best of the best. It was also pretty awesome to have a key save in sudden-death and have Amy “Bubbles” MacDonald capitalize on that and score the game-winning goal. It was a team effort and watching the highlight tape of that game is something that will always pump me up.

4. Do you have any superstitions on game day?

I don’t have any superstitions but I have a solid routine. I always have a Red Bull on game day before we get off the bus. I also always have to be listening to music on the bus to help me get in my own zone and focus on what I need to do to be the best I can be that day.

5.What was the "Welcome to lacrosse" moment in your career?

My moment of “Welcome to Lacrosse” had to be my sophomore year. I started to get playing time in huge games like Connecticut College and Keene State and it showed me what the reward was like when you work to your full potential.

6.If I were to look at you iPod/iTunes/etc., what would be the five most played songs?

Sam Hunt “House Party”, Taylor Swift “Blank Space”, Daryl Hall & John Oates “Rich Girl”, Mark Runson “Uptown Funk” and Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud”

7.You are finally able to start in net after watching Lorin Field play. What have you learned from her? What does that opportunity mean to you?

I think this opportunity means more to me than people will ever know. Lorin and I have the best friendship on-and-off the field, which is pretty rare with goalies. Our friendly competition kept both of us working hard everyday and never letting ourselves be comfortable. Lorin and I play two different styles in goal, but I am able to take the things she is better at and try to apply them to my play for this year. I am lucky to have her as my coach this year because she knows my weaknesses and she can really help me reach my full potential. 

8.The Women's lacrosse team is fortunate enough to travel around the country for Spring Break. Where is the team going this year, and what are some things you are looking forward to?

This year we are traveling to Hollywood, California! I am really excited for the competition in California. I think it will be a great experience for our team right before we start conference play in April. I’m also pretty excited to go to Disneyland! I think this will be an unforgettable experience and such a great team bonding activity.

9. There are a lot of underclassmen on the team, especially compared to the number of seniors and juniors. How/What have the upperclassmen done to make sure that some of the younger players on the team are comfortable to their relatively new surroundings?

Something that our team does every year is we have “Little Sisters” on the team. All the upperclassman are paired with an underclassman and we act as their mentor, helping them with whatever they may need. Adjusting to being a student-athlete can be a difficult challenge for anyone, but by having a “Big Sister” there for them defiantly helps the process go a lot more smoothly.

10. A number of your teammates call you "tight pants". How did that nickname come about?

This nickname was given to me sophomore year. Coach Tracy ordered all the goalies black sweatpants for the season and instead of being loose and baggy, the pants ended up looking like leggings on me. It wasn’t a good look by any means!