Meagan Gulmi’s lacrosse career at Syosset High School has been nothing but special. The senior is currently the eighth ranked goaltender in the country in an ESPN.com poll. Having recently committed to the University of Cincinnati, Gulmi will find herself competing at the Division One level in 2013.
“I’m excited about how the competition will be on a whole other level,” Gulmi said of the difference between high school and Division One. “I know it will be hard work to prepare for the fast paced, more competitive college game, but I am ready to accept the challenge and work my hardest to succeed.”
The fact that Gulmi even found herself blocking shots occurred by chance. After playing defenseman during her formative lacrosse years, she decided to try the position when her sixth grade team found themselves without a goalie. Little did she know that her initial curiosity with the position would shape the rest of her career.
She began thinking seriously about playing in college after joining the Long Island Yellow Jackets club team. Gulmi began training on a regular basis and committed herself to excelling at the sport.
“I realized how much time, energy, and effort I put into to lacrosse and wanted to take it to the next level,” she said. “I realized that the more I put in, the more I would get out.”
This motto was the driving force during a tough recruiting period. She played in three November tournaments during her junior year, knowing that scouts would be watching. After playing well in the first tournament, offers came rolling in.
“When I began to get multiple emails from different coaches around the country, I gained confidence in myself to play at my fullest potential,” Gulmi said. “It felt good to know that there were multiple coaches who felt I could play at the Division One level.”
After considering Columbia, Davidson, and USC, Gulmi finally decided on Cincinnati.
“It was the school that could offer me the most academically, as well as athletically,” she said. “I was looking for a team that was tight knit like a family, and I found that exact team. It really was the perfect fit for me. I can’t wait to become a Bearcat.”
But before she can strap on the Cincinnati black and red, she must finish off her career in the Syosset black and red.
The Braves finished 6-9 last season, . The team returns its entire roster from 2011, most of who have been playing together since they were freshman. Because of the experience, Syosset expects to be a much bigger factor in 2012.
“We are eager to put together all of our hard work from over the years and have a successful season,” Gulmi said. “We want to reach our full potential and be the best we’ve ever been.”
And with one of the best players on Long Island in net, that potential is sky high.
