Junior Caitlin Gregory burst onto the College athletics scene last season, recording 95 saves in 15 games as the lacrosse team's starting goalkeeper. The College community has come to know Gregory as a successful lacrosse goalkeeper, but this season her skills protecting the field hockey cage are taking center stage.
Prior to the start of the season, Gregory had not dressed in her field hockey pads or picked up a stick to play the game she has loved since grade school in nearly four years. This season, she is all suited up and standing in goal for the undefeated field hockey team.
Before becoming a Lion, Gregory attended Temple University on a hefty lacrosse scholarship.
"I was not happy with my progress as a player (at Temple)," Gregory said. "I felt I could become a better athlete and I knew that I would be able to at (the College)."
Gregory is all-too-familiar with the pressures of being a two-season goalkeeper. She attended Eastern Regional High School where she started for its lacrosse team and its No. 1 nationally-ranked field hockey team. In her entire high school career, Gregory never lost a game and tied only once in either sport.
"I had always been a softball player," Gregory said, "but after a terrible year playing softball, I reluctantly switched to lacrosse the winter of my sophomore year. I had no idea what I was doing."
Playing lacrosse landed her with the opportunity to compete at her choice of colleges. So how did she end up in a Lions uniform? Gregory was drawn in by the College's field hockey and lacrosse head coach Sharon Pfluger who has a reputation for coaching championship teams both on and off the field.
"Coach Pfluger is an unbelievable coach, and I really do feel lucky to have her as a mentor," Gregory said. "She is like a mother away from our real ones, and we can go to her for anything."
Pfluger has recorded over 400 wins as the lacrosse coach, including 12 last season with Gregory in goal.
"She is a talented goalkeeper who continues to improve everyday," Pfluger said. "We have the utmost confidence in her and we are looking forward to a successful season with her in the goal cage."
While much of Gregory's time is spent on the field, she admits that it does get stressful juggling classes and homework with practice and games. Though lacrosse practice has not started yet, the field hockey team practices six times a week. In between practices and games Gregory manages to find the time to do schoolwork, be an avid Phillies fan and draw "good luck pictures" for her friends and teammates.
"I have the best family, friends and teammates in the world, and that's all I really need," she said.
Gregory's optimistic attitude seems to be key when it comes to playing the games she loves. Three games into the season, Gregory has recorded three wins including two shutouts, and she has high hopes for her team.
"There is no doubt in my mind that we will achieve our goals," she said.
With her confidence and determination, Gregory will play an important role in leading both teams to successful seasons.
