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April 29, 2010

Victor leads Vikings on lacrosse field

By Brandon Koch Niagara Gazette

NIAGARA FALLS — Grand Island girl’s lacrosse team captain Sara Victor engages herself in just about anything she can set her sights on.

The junior attack midfielder is not only a great athlete as a lacrosse and soccer player, but she also prides herself academically as well, participating in the high school’s band, and serving as her class president, too, said head coach Nicole Marabella

With that said, it is no secret Victor is willing to get her nose dirty on the lacrosse field no matter what the situation.

“She is such a leader in her actions — not afraid to go anywhere,” Marabella said. “She gets hit in the head all the time because she is in the action and she’s not afraid of that...But that’s what you have to do. When you play, you have to play wholehearted and that’s what she does.”

Victor has had no problem leading by example. Her athleticism has been a bright spot for the #-# Vikings, as she leads the team with ## (16 through Tuesday 4/27) goals. Last season, she garnered first-team all-Niagara Frontier League honors after posting a team-high 35 goals and 12 assists.

“We’re 1-6, but it really doesn’t show what we actually have on the team and Sara is a big part of that,” Marabella said. “She is a big asset to the team. Not only is she a captain and a goal scorer, but she is a feeder and great assist leader on the team.”

Victor, however, said she prides herself on more than just finding the twine and setting up her teammates.

Despite her position as a midfielder, Victor defends her goal with the same intensity that she has when she’s firing her hard, quick shot on the opposing netminder.

“I feel like I’m always running,” Victor said with a laugh. “I definitely think defense is just as important as offense, if not more important. If you don’t have good “D” you can’t get up field to go score.”

The Vikings squad called up Victor when she was just an eighth grader, Marabella added. Since then, the coach said, her star player has blossomed into a model leader for the rest of her teammates.

Aside from working hard from start to finish, Victor is more apt to “go about leadership in a more positive manner opposed to yelling which sometimes can happen when you’re 1-6,” Marabella said.

“Leadership is one of the most important parts of a team for sure, and if you don’t have that then your team just isn’t there because you won’t work together,” Victor said. “You need people on your team to show example and make the team want. It’s very important.”

Victor is quick to note her experience over the last few years has certainly led to her vast improvement, as well as the way she sees the field.

“Year after year playing on varsity definitely makes a difference” she said. “Even by playing all these great teams, you learn by watching other players. You just grow as a player every game.”

Nonetheless, her offensive ability and defensive prowess may be enough to propel her into a strong NFL Player of the Year candidacy for her efforts.

Regardless, though, Victor said she isn’t worried about achieving individual accolades.

“When I’m on the field, it’s just about being a team,” she said. “If you put yourself before the team then you’re not going to go anywhere. So, when you’re on the field you have to put all that aside.”