OUR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK COMMUNITY PARTNER
Each week, Monitor staff selects and interviews a local Athlete of the Week. Learn more about their accomplishments, their goals and what makes them unique. We’d like to thank our sponsor Capital City Kia.
Our partners do not participate in the selection of these athletes. That is fully at the discretion of our journalists.
Merrimack Valley boys’ lacrosse sophomore goalie Adrian Buss had a big role to play this year. He faced shot after shot but kept playing until the final whistle.
The Pride’s season was far from ideal in Division II, as they won only one game. Even with playoffs out of the picture, Buss went out there on the last game of the season to finish strong.
Lacrosse goalkeeping is especially difficult because it’s almost guaranteed you’ll give up multiple goals. The sophomore for the Valley still saved 200 shots this year and hopes to continue growing in his role.
Each week, the previous athlete of the week asks the first question to the next student chosen. Here’s that question:
Q: How do you overcome injuries and deal with the pressure and “what ifs” that come with having to sit out? – Gavin Buxton, Bow Track and Field
A: Playing goalie, there is always a risk of injury that comes with the position, but I have faith in the other goalies and the rest of the team to play hard without me.
Q: When did you start playing goalie and why?
A: I started playing goalie when I was 7 years old, and I play goalie because my dad played it.
Q: What’s the most challenging aspect of playing goalie in lacrosse?
A: I would say the mental aspect of being a goalie is very difficult at times, but you just need to learn to reset and focus on the next shot.
Q: What fuels your passion for the sport?
A: I just love the sport and being with my teammates.
Q: How do you plan to continue improving into next season?
A: I’m gonna keep the stick in my hands all the way into next season and get as many reps as I can until spring.
Q: What lessons did this past season teach you?
A: This season didn’t go our way, but I still learned a lot from it. I learned that the scoreboard doesn’t mean everything and to learn from every loss.
Q: What’s a favorite memory of yours playing lacrosse?
A: One of my favorite memories of playing lacrosse was reaching 200 saves this year. It reminded me that no matter how bad our record was, I still considered it a good season for my first year starting as a sophomore.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give another goalie?
A: I would say learning how to reset your mind after a bad moment in goal is the best advice I have for any other goalies. You can’t focus on the bad moments the whole time, or you’re just going to repeat them.