by C. GARRETT KEIDEL, Asst. Editor
Sarah Lang is a senior exercise science, pre-physical therapy major from Katonah, NY. Currently the team leader in goals this season, her 24 goals and 28 points in eight games puts her on pace to eclipse her career-best 26 goals and 41 points in 16 games during 2017. The team’s captain was also named MAAC’s Female Student-Athlete of the Week for the week of March 20 thanks in part to a weekend where she scored six goals.
The Quadrangle: How did you get into sports, lacrosse in particular?
Sarah Lang: I got into sports at a young age. I’m the youngest of three girls. Usually when people hear that they do not necessarily think sport, but my parents were very involved, and their siblings were involved in sports as well. My uncle played college lacrosse at Hopkins and he’s in the hall of fame, he was a big lacrosse player. There is definitely a long line of athletes in my family.
TQ: What has been your experience so far as a college athlete?
SL: It’s definitely extremely rewarding. You put time and effort in, essentially you have a job, it’s basically like working a nine-to-five almost. But at the end of the day it’s one of the most satisfying things because you create a bond with girls that can never be broken for the rest of your life. You also push your own limits as an athlete that you were never sure you could reach. It’s just really awesome.
TQ: What made you want to come to Manhattan College?
SL: I originally went to the University of Vermont, loved it, it was beautiful, climbed all the mountains, did the whole Burlington thing. But I’m a natural born New Yorker, had to come back to the fast-pace city. My grandmother and her brother went here, and my great uncle played baseball while he was here. He also got married in Gaelic Park. So we’re natural Jaspers. My grandmother is born and raised from the Bronx. She was a huge part of my life, and I felt like coming back here was almost like a full circle moment. It was pretty important to me and my family.
TQ: What did you/do you still hope to get out of being a D1 athlete?
SL: I hope to have everything on the field translate into the rest of my life. Working hard, teamwork, motivation, all things like that are lifelong skills that I see helping me in the future to be successful. Whether it’s my future family, my career, or anything like that. Obviously short term goal is I want a ring, I want to go to MAACs. I also want to be as successful for my teammates as possible.
TQ: Do you have any favorite memories playing lacrosse?
SL: I’m very tall. I’m a big girl, always have been. When I was younger in middle school, I was able to play up with high schoolers. In seventh grade I was playing with juniors in high school, and nobody knew. I got to play with my sisters on club teams when I was younger and that was very special to me. There was a five-year age gap, so I was actually able to be on the field at the same time as my sisters. And here at Manhattan my fondest memory would be when we were going to Canisius. I’ve never been outside the country or anything like that. Our bus made a wrong turn and we crossed the border into Canada, and it was my first time outside the country, I was with my girls and it was really funny.
TQ: Do you have a nickname on the team?
SL: Slang.
TQ: Do you have any goals academically and also in playing lacrosse?
SL: Academically, my goal is to be as successful as possible. It’s tough obviously with our athletic schedule. But I like to maintain a certain GPA, I like to make sure I’m being proactive with all my activities. I procrastinate which can make things tough for me, so I think my biggest goal is to get a jumpstart on all my academics and learning as much as I can. Lacrosse-wise, goals include going to MAACs, and basically having zero regrets. These are the last couple lacrosse games of my life, I just want to leave everything on the field.
TQ: Are there any major lessons you’ve learned while playing lacrosse?
SL: I have learned a lot of mental toughness. I think it is definitely a team game, but it’s up to you how hard you want to work and how far you think you can go. As you get older you think that you know it all, especially if you’ve been playing the same game your whole life. It’s like how much more can I absorb, but I’m in my 20s and every single day I’m still learning. The biggest thing that I have taken from lacrosse is everyday you can learn something new, and that you can get better in anything, always.
TQ: Any messages you’d like to say?
SL: To Jasper Nation, definitely come to some games. I think we are going to have a really successful season, I think we have been really fun to watch, and I feel really confident in the players this year. I feel really proud and lucky to have my teammates, and I wouldn’t have asked for it any other way.