TCNJ

12 The College of New Jersey Magazine > The first sport I played was ice hockey, and I was 3 years old when I started. In fifth grade, all my friends were playing lacrosse, so I tried that, too. I joined the West Windsor- Plainsboro recreation team, and each player took turns being goalie, but no one wanted to be in that position. My coaches said, "You played hockey; you shouldn't be afraid of the ball." > The movements for a goalie were natural for me, and I just fell in love with it. I was moved up a year and played with older girls; I felt that meant I was doing a good job. > I'm an athletic goalie. I love jumping out of the crease and getting interceptions on passes. I'm a big fan of throwing the ball 30 yards to get the ball from the defensive end to our offense so they can get a fast break against the other team's defense. > I was recruited by TCNJ and felt it was the best choice for me. I liked the history of the program and all the national championships they have won. TCNJ offers a kinesiology and health sciences major, which is what I wanted. > The goalie coach, Bob Henderson, was a big factor, too. He's the goalie guru in Central Jersey. A lot of schools don't have goalie coaches. When I was looking at colleges, I wondered, "How am I going to get better if I don't have a goalie coach?" He's able to point out the smallest things: critiquing your stance, how you're stepping to the ball, making sure your angles are proper. > Our head coach, Sharon Pfluger, has been amazing. She cares about us as athletes and as people. Everything we learn sets us up to be successful in life. > I'm a fifth-year senior. I had the most amazing goalie partner, All-American Julia Charest, for four years. The plan is that I'm the starting goalie this year. > The best part of being a goalie is when you make a big save and everyone cheers. The hardest thing is that you're the last line of defense. There are always going to be people that blame you for losing a game or allowing a goal. I learned early on in my career to ignore that. > At TCNJ, senior kinesiology majors are required to do a 400-hour internship. Mine was in the athletic training room. I got to interact with our athletes, see their injuries, and help them get better. > I want to coach both hockey and lacrosse. I've coached summer lacrosse in Princeton for the past two years. Coaching young goalies is fun. I get to teach my style of play to kids in middle and high school. You get to make mini versions of yourself. — As told to Mark Simon '97 HOW I GOT HERE HAILEY WEXLER '26 Not much gets past TCNJ's women's lacrosse goalie. PRAIRIE S P O R T S Goaltender Hailey Wexler '26 Hailey Wexler is a fifth-year senior with eyes on an NCAA Championship win this season. 12 The College of New Jersey Magazine

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