Since freshmen year, junior Hannah Clauss has played in many games from the goal where she awaits the ball, ready to make a save. This year the Girls’ Lacrosse team has an 8-3 record, a few of which Clauss has secured the win.

Since Clauss started playing goalie three years ago, she has been working year round to improve her skills. Her hard work is paying off and Clauss is being recruited by…. To be seen by these colleges, Clauss plays on a club team in Denver, where she travels to big tournaments where the scouts are. She also gets her stick out a couple times a week in the off-season to practice. In the summer Clauss goes to goalie camps and practices with foam balls, which she lets hit her to get rid of the fear.

According to Clauss, the first time she played goalie freshmen year was terrifying. After the game she was discouraged until her mom asked, “did you make a save?” She did, which increased her self-confidence. She has grown to love playing this position on the field.

“The best part about being goalie is when everyone runs over to me excited after a big win. On the flip side, when we don’t win, I feel like I have lost for the team, but I just have to keep my head up and know that we win and lose as a team,” Clauss said.

As a goalie, Clauss commands the defense and makes sure that everyone knows where they are on the field incase a defender loses the ball or is not marked up on an opposing girl. She also makes saves and clears the ball afterwards.

“Goalie is the position with the most pressure and I like that. I perform best under pressure,” Clauss said.

Her biggest accomplishment of the AHS season this year was 19 saves in one game. This year Clauss has achieved her goal of making a save percentage of 50 percent in each game and hopes to finish off the last two games of the season on a high note.

“Hannah is great at talking to us on the field and making sure we are working as a team on defense. She has become extremely confident which has rubbed off on the rest of the team,” junior Zoe Starensier said.