Episcopal Academy goalie Caroline Kelly is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week

The senior field hockey goalie and tri-captain, described by long-time EA head coach Gina Buggy as “undoubtedly one of the very best goalies I ever had the pleasure to coach,” had 13 saves in the PAISAA championship final against No. 1 seed Germantown Academy, which the Churchwomen won in overtime. In the PAISAA semifinal against No. 2 seed Academy of Notre Dame, she earned 27 saves and compiled an impressive save average of .889 for the season. “Caroline was a true team leader and inspiration for teammates on and off the field,” said Buggy. “Under her direction, the defense and midfield hustled and stayed united throughout the season. She is not only talented athletically, but she is also completely unselfish and an excellent teammate.” The Boston University commit also is captain of the EA ice hockey team.

Q: Tell us a little about your role as leader of the defense, particularly as it relates to on-field communication.

A: I am definitely a vocal goal keeper when I need to be. My defense were amazing throughout the season and I was happy to provide direction and extra support on the field from my position. Although I am a tri-captain, we show mutual respect as a defensive unit and are always in communication so we come together as an effective force. My center back defenseman, Lauren Devletian, definitely understands me the most when I ask her to step up on certain plays. I always talk to my corner defense before we have to face the shot and try to keep it positive by saying “We got this, go out hard and fast and just focus on the ball.” Overall I am so proud with how my defensive team played this season and I wouldn’t have been able to face all those shots and corners without them.

Q: What is your sharpest memory of the PAISAA championship final?

A: There are two memories that stand out to me most. One would be a leg slide tackle save I made on Sammy Popper late in the second half – her shots are always challenging to save. The other would be the final shootout, where I saved three consecutive shots.

Q: You began playing goalie when you took up the sport at EA in sixth grade. What sparked your original interest in the goalie position?

A: I have always been a aggressive sports player, coming from ice hockey as a defenseman, and was looking forward to a challenging position. No one else was willing to step up to fill it, and with the perks of not having to run as much, I happily geared up.  

Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game as a goalie? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?

A: I feel that my aggressiveness as a player contributes to my strongest aspect of my game. I always try to stop the shot from even happening in the first place by making solid slide tackles or utilizing my defensive stick skills. However, what I can work on is my patience as a goalie. I have been constantly told to just hold back and watch the ball come to me as I make a save. I have learned, sometimes it is important to have a balance between aggressiveness and passivity as a goalie.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

A: Before games I try to keep it lighthearted and energizing. Whether that be listening to pump up music or joking around with my friends, I try to never take games to seriously before hand in order to keep my positive energy flowing. 

Q: Who have been your biggest mentors as a goalie, and what was the most important thing you learned from each one?

A: My biggest mentor is Martijn Drijver. This summer I was fortunate to travel to Amsterdam for about a month and train with the legendary goal keeper coach, Martijn Drijver. He has trained all the best goalies around the world, and to get a personal training experience from him was life-changing. In only an hour he taught me so much and his advice has shaped me to be the goalie I am, and even aspire to be. One lesson he taught me was the keys to making a quality save; weight forward, elbows out, eyes on the ball, and wait for it to come to me. Also, our own USA team goalie, Jackie Briggs, has been inspirational as a coach and just watching her amazing athleticism in action representing our country!

Q: Tell us a little about your EA ice hockey career – what has been your most memorable experience as an EA ice hockey player? What originally sparked your interest in joining EA ice hockey?

A: I have played ice hockey longer than field hockey, and I have been a part of many travel club teams. When the opportunity arose for me to join the EA team I was extremely excited. Not only was I able to play in a boys checking league but I also feel that the experience has shaped me into a tougher player. My most memorable experiences would have to be anytime I was able to check a boy into the boards or on to the ice and see the look in their eye when they realized a girl was responsible for taking them off the puck effectively. 

Q: What do you think you might like to major in at Boston University? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?

A: I would love to major in film and production. The College of Communications is world-class at Boston University and has so many amazing opportunities to help spark a strong career path. I hope to make my very own movies one day. 

Q: Do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at EA other than field hockey and ice hockey? 

A: I try to get involved with as many EA activities as I can. Playing two year round travel club sports and two sports at EA takes up most of my time as I am practicing all but one day a week and traveling most weekends. Whenever there is an EA tradition or activity I can take part in I will always try to be there.  It’s just as fun being a fan and rooting for others almost as much as playing! 

Fun facts – Caroline Kelly

Favorite book: The Great Gatsby.

Favorite author:  F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Favorite TV show: American Horror Story.

Favorite movie: Conjuring (series). 

Favorite athlete: Jackie Briggs.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: FeRRis whEEl by tory lanz (feat. Trippie Red). 

Favorite team: Pittsburgh Penguins.

Favorite place to visit: Amsterdam. 

Favorite pre-game meal: Caesar salad with grilled chicken. 

Person I most admire: “I admire my Dad the most. He is incredibly hard working, caring, and has taught me the most important lessons in my life. I can always count on him to give me advice or to simply have a funny conversation with. His work ethic and attitude on life is something I aspire to have.” 

Family members: parents David and Marnie, older brother Andrew.

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)