By Jessica Saio, Contributor
Junior Talia Price has been on the women’s lacrosse team at Manhattan College since she was a freshman. Off the field, she’s a psychology major from Kinnelon, New Jersey; but on the field, she’s an attack wearing number 20. Price continues to thrive as a student-athlete, and looks forward to being a part of another great season in her second to last year as a Jasper.
The Quadrangle: How did you start playing lacrosse?
Talia Price: In the northeast region, I guess lacrosse is very big and it was big in my town. The program was just very serious as well as the high school level so I started playing in fourth or fifth grade. I actually didn’t like it at first and I quit for a year but then I got back to it in sixth grade. Gradually I got more serious with it and liked it enough to play at higher levels.
TQ: Was Manhattan your first choice to play at?
TP: Yes. It gave me the best opportunity that I saw for myself both academically and athletically. I really liked the location since it’s so close to New York City, which would help for jobs and internships.
TQ: What are you looking forward to this coming season?
TP: For the fall I’m looking forward to the tournaments coming up since it’s off season and those are typically really fun. We get to spend the time getting to know each other on the field as well as off the field. We have 10 new girls on the team so it’s definitely going to take a lot of time but practicing and the tournaments will help us get to know them better.
TQ: Which women’s lacrosse team would you say is Manhattan’s biggest rival?
TP: We’re big rivals with pretty much everyone in our conference. Iona is a big one but personally, I feel like on the lacrosse level with our team we’re competitive with Quinnipiac because we had a really intense match with each them last year.
TQ: Do you find it hard to stay involved on campus as a student-athlete?
TP: It’s definitely difficult but I try to be very well rounded. Even though I’m bouncing from practice to class to work, I try to make it work. I think it’s definitely important to stay involved and meet new people.
TQ: What clubs and activities are you involved with?
TP: I was able to go on a L.O.V.E. trip last January in Ecuador and that was amazing. Last fall we met every week and we fundraised and bonded a lot. It was really time consuming but it was a really good experience. I also work in the Admissions Office as a tour guide and I’m the captain of a group called Love Your Melon.
TQ: What do you do in your free time?
TP: I’m a very organized person so I like to plan out everything, especially with Love Your Melon. I started it freshman year with another teammate and two other girls so it’s still up and coming but it’s something we work on a lot.
TQ: What is your favorite thing about playing at Manhattan?
TP: We’re a very close team so I would say the team chemistry. We try to spend a lot of time off the field which I think is important for when we’re on the field.
TQ: What are you hoping to take with you out of this experience once you graduate?
TP: Being able to build and maintain relationships is something I look to get out of this. I think on a leadership aspect too because every year new players come in and they need guidance. Connections is also something to think about. Hopefully I’ll be able to reach back to my coach and teammates for a job or even just to hang out in the future.