They stand alone in the crease, they are the last line of defense, willing to get hit by a hard puck traveling at an exceptionally high speed: Goalies are arguably the most important role in sports.

Goalies are needed in many different sports; the mental and physical capacity they hold to be the final line of defense is immense.

Hazel Jacobs is a senior goalie on the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team. She chose to be a goalie because her older sister was, and, growing up, Hazel wanted to be just like her.

“After she passed, it felt like a homage to her,” Hazel said. “Also, my dad was my coach from 2nd-8th grade and when no one else wanted to get in net, it was easy for my dad to just throw me in there.” Hazel felt like she was honoring her sister by becoming a goalie.

Hazel finds it easier mentally to play in a game rather than practice.

“When there is adrenaline going through me, the only thing I think about when I get hit is that I made a save,” she said. “In practice it gets a little harder, and I do have to hype myself up, and tell myself that it’s my job to get hit. The bruises that come with it feel like rewards for mental toughness.”

If Hazel could go back, she is not sure if she would choose to be a goalie again because of the mental challenges.

“Sometimes it gets a little lonely in the net,” Hazel said, “and there is a lot of pressure to make saves and support your team. One thing I will say though, is that the feeling of euphoria after making a good save in an important game is truly unmatched.”

Olivia Ferebee, a senior on the Girls Varsity Hockey team, has always played goalie.

“I chose to be a goalie because when I was super young, everyone had to at least try to be the goalie,” she said. “When it was my turn, I ended up being decent at the position and it was different, so I really fell in love with it.”

Liv has been goalie for 13 years. Though part of the job is getting hit in the helmet with the puck, Liv said, “Honestly, there is a lot of padding, so it really doesn’t hurt as much as people think it does. I am also the last line of defense so it is a great challenge to support my teammates and help them out as much as I can.”

If Liv had the chance to go back and choose again, she would “definitely still be a goalie.”

“I love the independence of the position and the internal challenges and goals I can set for myself,” she said. “I have also learned how to deal with pressure. I believe that pressure is a privilege, and you will have to deal with it for your whole life. I have played in front of many college coaches, played for NEPSAC championships, and many other important games that I have had to manage my stress and pressure. I think that learning how to perform well and stay calm under pressure is a great life skill.”

Skylar Walker, a goalie on the Girls Varsity Soccer team, grew up playing soccer. She chose goalie, at first, to avoid running up and down the field.

“I chose to be a goalie because as I grew up playing soccer I started to not like the running part of it. I decided to pick up goalie and I stuck with it,” she said.

Skylar thinks getting hit with a soccer ball isn’t as bad as it sounds. For her, it’s just part of the job.

“I just grew up doing it, so it is second nature to me, and I don’t find it as scary as taking shots from smaller ball sports like hockey or lacrosse,” she said.

Skylar thinks the goalie serotypes have some truth to them.

“I think goalies are stereotyped as crazy,” she said, “and I feel as though it’s not an incorrect stereotype because me and other goalies I know act like that.”