Merion Mercy’s Caroline Steller is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
A: The highlight of the state tournament to me was the state quarterfinal game against Prendie at Haverford High School. Many of the players, including myself are from Havertown, and it was exciting playing in front of a hometown crowd.
Q: What do you think was the key to your offensive production this season?
A: The key to my offensive production this season can largely be attributed to our outstanding midfielders feeding the ball into the circle, and my main job was to get the ball past the goalie on a rebound or tip. Special shout out to Kelsey Farkas, a fellow St.Denis Bulldawg who I’ve played with forever
Q: You had the game-winning goal in both wins against defending district champion Villa Maria, in the regular season and in the district semifinal. Can you describe for us how the two plays unfolded, and your role in them?
A: Villa was our first league game of the season. Our team was pumped up before the game and we came out playing very aggressive. The score was tied 1-1 in the second half, when Jaime Natale crossed a ball to me and I lifted it passed the goalie for the game winner. Our defense played great down the stretch. In the district semi-finals, the whole team played with a lot of heart. The score was tied 2-2 when Allie Scannapieco pressured a Villa defender, and forced a turnover.. She then passed it to me and I dribbled inside the circle and hit the ball aiming for the far post past the goalie. Once again, our defense played an awesome game for the next nine minutes to secure the victory.
Q: You’ve worn No. 24 for both Merion Mercy field hockey and lacrosse the past four years – was there a reason you picked that number?
A: I chose this number because No. 4 has always been my lucky number and since I could not get No. 4 my freshmen year I chose No. 24 and stuck with it all four years. Also, the lucky number of my best friend, Kolbe Keating, is 4 so I let her have that number.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a field hockey/lacrosse game.
A: One pre-game [ritual] I have before a lacrosse game is to put in my lucky pink scrunchie right before every game.
Q: Will you be continuing your field hockey career beyond the PIAA state final?
A: I will not be continuing my field hockey career, although, if Marquette had club field hockey, I would have definitely participated in that.
Q: You will be playing lacrosse for Marquette. What other colleges were in the running? What do you think you might like to major in at Marquette? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: Other colleges that were in the running were Bryant and New Hampshire. My intended major is criminology. My goal is to be in the FBI when I grow up.
Q: Other than field hockey and lacrosse, do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Merion Mercy? What sparked your interest in each of these activities?
A: I participate in Speak Up, and Women For Life and Love, at Merion Mercy. I was interested to participate in Speak Up because it is important to discuss with teens and parents the critical topics of modern society.
Fun facts – Caroline Steller
Favorite book: Girl on the Train.
Favorite author: Paula Hawkins.
Favorite TV show: Law and Order: SVU.
Favorite movie: She’s the Man.
Favorite athlete: Clay Matthews.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: “Every Time We Touch” by Cascada.
Favorite pre-game meal: Omelette with caramelized onions, bacon, goat cheese.
Favorite color: Hot Pink.
Person I most admire: “I admire both my mom and my dad. I admire my mom for teaching me to always stay positive during games and I admire my dad for playing various sports with me and motivating me to always be aggressive.”
Birth date: Sept. 3, 1998 in Bryn Mawr.
Family members: Parents Greg and Kellie, brother Nicholas.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
To view a gallery of the Main Line Girls Athletes of the Week from 2013 to date click here
