Thrill. Aggression. Confidence. These three elements form the foundation of the success of Elon University women’s lacrosse goalie Rachel Ramirez.
“Rachel is a huge confidence builder. She brings an element of toughness and confidence to our entire team,” said Elon head coach Josh Hexter. “You just feel like you’re always in the game [when she’s playing.]”
With its inaugural season underway, the Elon women’s lacrosse team has maintained a strong defense that has driven its success. Ramirez, a freshman who has started and played every minute of every game so far this season, has led the team to five wins, averaging 12 goals against and a .451 save percentage.
“If you look at the whole picture with what she’s doing with a first-year team, she’s playing like an All-American,” Hexter said. “If you just look at the stats, you think I’m crazy, but I think most opposing coaches agree she has the potential to be one of the best goalies in the country as she gets older.”
Unique style of play
Ramirez’s stats are impressive for a freshman, and Hexter isn’t the only one who sees her talent and potential. It’s her aggressive style of play that is turning heads. Opposing coaches and the Atlantic Sun Conference are taking notice, as Ramirez has claimed A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week honors three times.
“Rachel, as a teammate, is one of the most active goalies I’ve ever had. She doesn’t sit back and let the play go on, she asserts herself,” said Erin Murnane, a freshman defender. “The way she intercepts the ball, reads plays better than any other defender, anticipates the ball and makes big saves is incredible.”
Ramirez, a native of Lindenhurst, N.Y., isn’t a typical goalie who just sits back in the crease. She’s learning how to manage that style and transition from high school and travel teams on Long Island to the collegiate level through game experience.
“Unlike most goalies, I do come out of the cage, and I’m comfortable with being on the field, so I’m more of an inside defender,” Ramirez said. “I pick off passes and handle pressure very well. I just wasn’t taught to stay in and make saves and not do anything else.”
She’s athletic enough to step out and make big plays, and the coaches have let go of the reigns and encouraged her to maintain that aggressive style.
“She’s out a lot, and it’s in her nature,” Hexter said. “That’s one of her bright spots, and we really try to encourage that instead of trying to hold her back.”
Vocal leadership offers assurance
With the risks she takes, it’d be easy for many players to be nervous in front of her. Yet, she has the trust of her teammates.
“Her intensity. No matter how good the team is, she’s always intense. She always seems to be on her toes and on her game,” Murnane said. “You always hear her voice talking to you, telling you where to force. She’s like the quarterback back there.”
With Ramirez’s type of play, communication is essential to keep the defense balanced. A commanding vocal presence is tough to initiate and maintain, especially as a freshman, but Ramirez has stepped into a strong leadership role.
“She is one of our leaders back there, and it’s hard to do that as a freshman,” Hexter said. “And our field players are really stepping up and helping her, so she doesn’t have to be that one commanding voice.”
Megan Griffin, a sophomore defender, said Ramirez has a very big presence mostly because of her directive voice.
“She’s very encouraging, and she’s a good leader on the field,” Griffin said. “She’s very vocal with our whole defense, and that’s really important because we need to hear that voice and we need direction from her. When she’s directive, it gets us together and makes us one big group as a defensive unit, not just as individuals.”
Ramirez’s intelligent vocal presence gives the defense an edge in stopping the attack.
“She’s very motivating and is cognizant of players’ skills and how they shoot and lets us know,” Murnane said. “She makes sure all of us are on the same page by talking to us individually.”
Looking back to move forward
Ramirez admitted she wasn’t always completely sold on playing lacrosse. But looking back, it’s a good thing for Elon she did.
“I was going to quit lacrosse when I was younger, but then I went in goal and liked it,” Ramirez said. “I fell in love and stayed. I like the feeling you get when you make a save. That’s the best part. Seeing the girl’s face running at you, so determined to score and then you stop it; the adrenaline rush is my favorite part.”
Ramirez has a certain confidence that is contagious. It emanates from her presence in goal and has spread up the field, through her teammates and coaches, bringing another unique element to the Elon women’s lacrosse team.
“Rachel is the ultimate teammate, always trying to do what’s best for everyone else, while at the same time is an incredible competitor and challenges her teammates to get better every day,” Hexter said. “We are continuing on our curve of success with her and she keeps raising it higher and higher. We are very proud of her.”