Athlete of the Week

Women's lacrosse is currently undefeated, ranked eighth in the nation, and feeling optimistic. The previously lackluster team is in a position to battle its way to the Ivy League title and perhaps even the NCAA tournament.

COURTESY SPORTS PUBLICITY Katherine Myers, PC `01 Women's lacrosse Major: History Favorite food: Pizza Favorite sport: Lacrosse Favorite TV show: Law and Order Role model: Lance Armstrong

Myers has a long history with lacrosse, having taken up the sport in eighth grade. The sport runs in her family: her father, older brother, and two sisters all played in high school.

At the Hackley School in Tarrytown, N.Y., Myers was the starting center. She was also a standout at soccer. Myers' younger sister, Anne, SY '04, followed her to Yale and is now a midfielder for the Bulldogs.

For the past three years at Yale, the team rarely exceeded expectations. As the elder Myers tells it, Yale always "played at the same level. We beat the teams we were supposed to, lost to the teams we were supposed to." But with this season's strong start, the Bulldogs are surprising everyone, including themselves.

Myers attributes the team's success to strong leadership. "Our senior class is really special. As a group we're very in touch with a lot of the girls on the team and are able to keep everyone happy and focused." So what's her contribution, other than being one of the dynamic senior five? "I work pretty hard," Myers explains, cautiously trying not to be too self-promoting. "I play attack and defense, so it helps that I am a presence on both ends of the field."

Myers, who has appeared in every game since she arrived at Yale, is a key transitional player for the Bulldogs. Last season she netted 13 goals and had seven assists. In 1999, she tallied 20 goals and finished with 25 points, which tied for third on the team.

In the close win over rival Harvard on Sun., Apr. 1, it was Myers who brought sweet victory to the Elis, scoring the winning goal with barely two seconds left in the second half. The two teams had been neck-and-neck throughout the game, and Myer's goal brought the final score to 10-9, giving the Bulldogs an undefeated 7-0 record (3-0 Ivy). She received Ivy League Player of the Week honors for her stunning contribution.

Myers claims that Yale's success comes from the team's persistence and burning desire to bring home a win. "We are going into every game and trying to make the most out of it," she said.

According to Myers, lacrosse has given her discipline and structure. As she looks forward to a possible Ivy League title, Myers faces graduation at the same time. Writing her senior thesis on women's varsity college sports and the media in the '60s and '70s, she realizes that there aren't many opportunities to play outside of college.

"I plan to get a job," she admitted. But this Eli will end her time at Yale with one of the best years in the history of women's lacrosse. Having defeated Holy Cross on Wed., Apr. 4, the Bulldogs now face a daunting Princeton team on Sat., Apr. 7.

—By Leslie Cozzi

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