FARMVILLE, Va. - Longwood University sophomore women’s lacrosse goalkeeper Christian Acker/Moorestown, New Jersey is this week’s Longwood Female Athlete of the Week. Acker totaled 18 saves and two ground balls, while compiling a .486 save percentage in two complete-game performances last week. She turned away four shots in the squad’s hard-fought battle at American on April 17 before setting a new career-high with 14 saves against Liberty in the season finale on April 20. Acker currently owns a 7-6 record in front of the net for the Lancers this season with a team-best 111 saves so far.
Question and Answer Session with Christian Acker and Ashley Robbins
AR: How did you prepare for your sophomore season and how do you think it has gone up to this point?
CA: I’m really happy with our team. I think we’ve really improved a lot since the fall and especially since last year. Personally, I’ve just been working to improve myself with my goalie trainer. I’ve just been working on a lot of repetitive motions, so it’s more like muscle memory. I’m just trying harder and harder every practice.
AR: Heading into the conference tournament, what are your goals?
CA: Obviously, I want our team to win, but I really want us to do everything we want to do, like the little things, and make sure we play our game.
AR: What do you hope to work on in the offseason?
CA: Personally, I still think I can improve on those certain saves that you know you can have, but are just a bit off. I just want to work on getting there, being more explosive, trying to be a better communicator with my defensive and getting every save I possibly can.
AR: Why did you choose to come to Longwood?
CA: When I came on my visit, everyone on the team seemed really close and I really liked that. It seemed like one big family where everyone was always together. I loved the buildings and everything just seemed right.
AR: What’s your favorite thing about Longwood women’s lacrosse?
CA: I think it’s being a Lancer and having everyone behind you because I feel like everyone knows each other. It’s nice to be a part of something bigger than you.
AR: Do you find yourself getting advice from the older players or giving it to the younger ones?
CA: I think it’s both. I think everyone on our team helps each other out, so I’ll get advice from my defense like [Kathleen Battle] or someone who’s older than me. Then you also have your freshmen, who you have to watch out for. I think it’s more that everyone comes together to help each other out.
AR: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from Coach Jones?
CA: Basically, to brush things off. If I let in a shot, I just need to save the next one and not let it faze me.
AR: What would you say to a young athlete hoping to play Division I?
CA: Just try really hard and do your best. As long as you love it, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be out working hard for it.
AR: Do you have any rituals or superstitions?
CA: Actually, I try to make everything different because I don’t want to get into rituals. So, if I do something one way one day, I don’t want to do it the same way the next day because I’m afraid that if I don’t do it, that’s the reason I’ll play bad. I guess my superstition is to not have one.
AR: What is your favorite pro team?
CA: The Philadelphia Flyers
AR: Do you have any role models?
CA: My mom, definitely. She’s always upbeat and happy, and she’s been through so much. She goes above and beyond with everything, and I don’t know how she has the energy to do it all. She’s just such a good person.
