Feb. 2, 2014
Maddie Kratz
Junior, Goalkeeper, 5-10
Wilton, Conn.
In five days, the Vanderbilt lacrosse team begins the 2014 season on Friday at Kennesaw State. To get ready for the 19th season in program history, vucommodores.com will spotlight all 29 players and coaches Cathy Swezey, Sue Ellis and Julie Gardner. This segment will offer an inside look into the team on and off the field.
Today, Maddie Kratz, who wears jersey No. 5, continues our countdown. A junior from Wilton, Conn., she enters the season as the team’s starting goalie. Kratz was a first-team high school All-American and the Connecticut State Player of the Year. Coach Cathy Swezey thinks Kratz is more than ready for the job after she backed up Chelsea Pasfield and Natalie Wills the last two seasons, making seven saves in three games.
Kratz, whose teammates call her ‘Mad Dog,’ is a double major in medicine, health and society and psychology. She also was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll last year.
Age I picked up a lacrosse stick: Eighth grade
I picked my jersey number because: It was my dad’s number (her father, Geoffrey, played collegiate lacrosse at Bowdoin College in Maine)
A few words that describe the way I play lacrosse: Composed and focused
What I need to improve to be a better player: I can always get faster
The thing that impresses me the most about Coach Swezey: How much she cares about us
Favorite part about playing at Vanderbilt: The closeness of our team
Favorite sport other than lacrosse: Soccer
Favorite movie: Finding Nemo
Favorite midnight snack: Ice cream
Dream date: Ryan Gosling
The best tasting food I can make: Mac and chesse
My bucket list includes: Skydiving
One thing my hometown is famous for: (Former U.S. soccer player) Kristine Lilly was born in Wilton and our high school road is named after her, ‘Kristine Lilly Way’
The person(s) I admire most: My parents
Most important thing I’ve learned since coming to Vanderbilt: How to multi-task
