Athlete of the Week | Tina Castellan makes lacrosse history in senior season

Lillian Reuman Guest Writer

The women’s lacrosse co-captain Tina Castellan ’08 made history on Saturday, April 12.

Down 9-3 with 24 minutes left in the second half against league opponent Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, the Brewers needed a strong comeback. Attack player Castellan scored three goals in the final 11 minutes of the game, including the game-winning goal with 14.8 seconds left on the clock for the win (11-10). This goal not only gave Vassar the win, but also earned Castellan her 163rd career goal as a Brewer, giving her the Vassar record for most career goals.

“I think I almost cried I was so happy,” Castellan reminisced. “There were still 14 seconds on the clock, so all I could think of at that moment was, ‘Get the ball so that we don’t have to go into overtime!’”

Castellan received the perfect pass from co-captain Christine Eaccarino ’09. Castellan said, “We have run that play so many times in games and practice, and now I know that all that work paid off.”

Castellan hails from Pennsylvania, where lacrosse has been a part of her life since elementary school. She now considers the Vassar lacrosse team her family.

“I have a billion amazing memories from on and off the field,” she said. She attributed her success on the lacrosse field to the support of the friends, family and team.

“I am successful because I get so much love and support from my teammates and coaches and I always try to give that right back,” she said.

Castellan arguably had her top performances of the season last weekend against Clarkson and St. Lawrence Universities. In the team’s decisive win over Clarkson she scored three goals, but more impressively, scored seven in a close 15-12 loss to St. Lawrence.

“Castellan is a great leader for our team, and she is the type of player that wants the ball when the game is on the line,” Head Coach Judy Finerghty remarked. “She is also an incredibly hard worker and someone that inspires everyone to perform at a high level.”

Castellan leads the team this season with 38 goals and three assists. The team (9-3 overall, 3-3 Liberty League) currently stands in fifth place in the Liberty League. They will play their final league games at home this weekend against the University of Rochester and Hamilton College, which will determine whether they qualify for the league tournament.