Athlete of the Week: VICTORIA KRUPA

Cardinal Mooney High senior goalkeeper Victoria Krupa was named a 2013 US Lacrosse Girls High School first-team All-American May 8.

Krupa was one of 17 players from across Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Central Texas to receive the honor.

Krupa also was named to the All-Academic team and received the Jackie Pitts Award. The Jackie Pitts Award is given to a senior who plays lacrosse and is invested in the development of the game in her community.

Krupa finished her final season at Cardinal Mooney with a 56.395 save percentage. She also recorded her first career shutout and notched two goals and two assists.

"I’ve been playing lacrosse my whole life. It’s honestly like a dream come true to receive such prestigious awards. Lacrosse is a game I’ve loved forever, so it’s a perfect (ending) to get all of those awards.

The Jackie Pitts Award means the most because it’s (centered) around how you play the game, but, more than that, it’s about giving back to your community. I used to coach lacrosse, and in the offseason I teach middle school and youth camps all over the country. It’s more about giving back. Lacrosse is my passion, so I’m so proud to be able to have received that award.

Lacrosse is such a small world, but I think that’s the best part. The people I play with in club and play against are some of my best friends; and a lot of us are going to be playing against each other in college. These are people I’ll know my whole life.

In eighth grade I was playing in a tournament and my team needed a goalie. My mom played goalie, but she never pushed me to play it. My mom wasn’t there that day, so I decided to be a little rebellious and go against my mom. They let me try it and I loved it. Everyone told me you have to be a little crazy to be a goalie. You can’t be afraid of the ball at all."