Athlete of the Week: Victoria Krupa

Victoria Krupa, 17, is enjoying a stellar junior year as Cardinal Mooney’s goalkeeper for the lacrosse team. Last week, she notched five saves on seven shots as the Cougars squashed Sarasota Military Academy 12-2. Krupa also plays for Lax Maniax and officiates middle school and youth lacrosse games in Tampa.

How did you get into lacrosse?
My mom played in college and had been coming to Florida for years to coach a camp. I used to live in Philly, and when you are from there, you are basically born to play the sport. When we moved here in 2006, I got more into it.

What is the hardest part about goalkeeping?
It’s the mental and emotional side to it. Every time you let a goal in, you have to pretend it didn’t happen and keep going. When you are not on top of your game, it is hard and you have to keep yourself upbeat. The mental and emotional exhaustion is really hard.

What is it like to play with your sister?
Caroline is a freshman and plays defense. We push each other. We played together during basketball as well.

Do you have a favorite lacrosse memory?
I went the University of Notre Dame for summer camp, and our team was in the semifinal for camp championship, and we went into a braveheart. That’s when there is one goalie and one field player from each team, and they start at the same time, and you play until “sudden victory” — whoever scores first wins. There was a lot of back and forth, and both my friend and I were making really awesome saves. … Finally, we scored and won, and we all piled on one another.

Do you plan to play in college?
Yes, definitely. I’m talking to a few schools on a bunch of different levels — D1, D2 and D3. I’m going on a couple of visits this spring, but there is not one school on which my heart is set. My mom says I will end up where I am meant to be. There is a home for everyone, it is just a matter of finding it.

Do you have a potential major?
I want to get into sports psychology. Psychology is a pretty common college major, so I should be able to do it wherever I go. I want to get into sports psychology, especially being a goalie with all the mental mind games you have to deal with.