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05/24/2024 10:33 AMSometimes in sports, the athletes that occupy the defensive positions often do the little things that do not get top billing recognition in the highlight reels or stat books. Yet for Ariana Cullam that is not the case, as she has completed a three-peat of a lofty accolade within her league.
The Madison native grew up playing lacrosse for Hand while also participating year-round for the club squad, Team CT, before moving onto play for Carroll University.
For her senior season, Ariana is making her third consecutive All-Conference appearance, including her second consecutive First Team selection . She concludes her four-year career ranked fourth in the CCIW (College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) in caused turnovers per game (1.94), while finishing the regular season second on the team in ground balls (48). Additionally, she did not take a contest off and also started all 17 games this season.
“I was Second Team All-Conference as a sophomore, so it was great to get the progression to First Team, as I have gotten more confident,” says Ariana. “It is hard being a student-athlete in college and balancing a schedule with school, so it was great to be recognized for the time I have put into it all around. Playing for Hand was different, but it also made me want to continue the game in college. I also progressed with my club team by playing all year long. Still, there were some great players and coaches I learned from at Hand.”
Ariana takes tremendous pride in the holy grail for a team defensive unit on the turf. It makes the rough moments on other days when squads seem to persistently and consistently find the back of the net all worth it.
“My favorite part about playing defense is just stopping the team from scoring. We had a shutout this year, and watching the game clock tick down to the final seconds was such a great feeling,” Ariana says. “It can be tough when a team gets on a scoring run and starts scoring consecutive goals. It can shut the team down, and I can get down and sometimes get too aggressive on defense and draw yellow cards.”
It may often take a lacrosse player with the strongest or quickest arms and legs to be a high-caliber competitor, but there are other factors. Ariana exclaims that one must have a steady and sound setting between the ears, especially when blocking out negative noise on the outside.
“Lacrosse is all a mental game. You have opposing fans booing you, and then you have players talking trash, so you have to learn to uplift the team and yourself,” says Ariana. “I also tell myself that they only boo and trash talk to get in your head because you are playing well against them. I just go out there and know I have to play my game.”
Aside from pace of play and intensity of the opposing athletes, there are other changes Ariana had to adapt to on the collegiate scene. She learned you must be a little speedier when it comes to making moves with the ball and matriculating it downfield.
“A big difference between high school and college lacrosse is some of the rules. There is a shot clock in college, so you have to move the ball down the field faster,” says Ariana. “It is also a faster paced game in college and very competitive. All of the players at this level are in it because they truly want to win.”
Ariana prides herself on keeping up the hallmarks of a defensive stalwart. Yet she knows there is a blend and balance of when to not be too overzealous and let attackers zip past her.
“I am known with my team for causing turnovers and getting ground balls, which is what you have to do as a defender,” says Ariana. “I have to work on my one-on-one skills. Sometimes I get too carried away with running up to attackers, and they run past me. I also have to make sure to avoid double teams and really see the whole field.”
Carroll women’s lacrosse Head Coach Michael Hode explains that Ariana is a dominant and pesky defensive disruptor for opposing offenses. He speaks even further to her accomplishments and attributes by noting she can help with everything–from defensive clears to cracking some smiles on her teammates’ faces.
“To see Ari earn First Team All-Conference for the second straight year was a true testament of her abilities on the field. Ari has been an anchor for our defensive unit that ranked in the top 20 nationally in team scoring defense. Her ability to anticipate passes and disrupt the cutters off-ball allows her to make it difficult for opposing teams to feed into the 8-meter. She also was tremendous in our clearing game. Ari was able to quickly find space in the field for goalies to clear and set up the fast break for our attack,” says Hodge. “As a teammate, Ari really grew into a leadership role over the last two years. She has become a player that her peers look up to and respect. Her athletic abilities are amazing, but her caring attitude towards her teammates, and her ability to make them laugh, always put a smile on someone’s face.”
The Pioneers felt coming into this past campaign that it might carry a bit of a rebuilding mantra to it after parting ways with several seniors. Still, they took the time away from their studies and lax skills to fortify friendships that broadcast itself quite well on the grass.
“We lost a lot of seniors from last year’s team, and so it was a young team this year,” Ariana says. “We knew it could be a different year, but our coach believed in us and was confident in our abilities to progress. We became closer during our Spring Break trip, and it showed on the field. We were really happy with the outcome of the team this year.”