What makes South Carroll's Brigid McTavish one of the top field hockey goalies in the metro area? The senior simply isn't afraid to sacrifice her body for the team.
A year ago, McTavish led Carroll County in save percentage (.929), and this season has allowed just nine goals in 14 games for the Cavaliers (10-4), who play six-time defending region champion Poolesville Tuesday in the Class 1A West semifinals.
The senior may be even more skilled as a goalie in lacrosse, a sport she plays nearly year-round. McTavish, 17, is looking to continue her lacrosse career at the collegiate level, most likely at either Mount St. Mary's, Shippensburg or McDaniel.
By the time you open the Class 1A West playoffs on Tuesday, your team will have had more than a week between games. Has the layoff been tough emotionally?
We're running out of things to do, so we're just doing a lot of team-bonding activities. We were going to go to a ropes course this weekend, and we're just doing a lot more things as a team to make sure we stay together and stay focused.
What other kinds of team-building activities have you been doing?
We have a tradition where we hide from our coaches, and we decided to do it [Wednesday] because it was raining and we didn't think we would have practice anyway. So we went up to this barn by our school and hid in it, then we sent [our coach] all these pictures, giving her clues as to where we were. But she could never find us, so we just came out and conditioned.
You and most of the other seniors on your team have played together since your freshman years. Do you find that to be a big help on the field?
Yes, it helps me a lot because I have so much confidence in my team and I trust them. There's a girl [Kelly Frazier] who guards behind me, and I know if I miss the ball or it goes by me, she's there.
Last year you led Carroll County in save percentage, and you're right back at the top of the pack again this season. What makes you so strong in goal?
Everyone on my team says it's just because I'm crazy. I'm not afraid to just dive on the ball. My coach -- I tell her to shoot as hard as she possibly can. She does chip shots on me all the time. She does flicks, lifts ... she does it all. I really like using my stick. I like it when the ball is in the air, and I like diving, getting on the ground and stuff.
Every year, some of the toughest competition your team faces comes from within the county. So far this year, you've already faced No. 6 Westminster and No. 8 North Carroll. Do those tough games help come playoff time?
Yeah, I think it's a good thing, especially this year, because we're playing all of the best teams around. We played North Carroll and Westminster, and then we even played Bryn Mawr and Dulaney this year. I feel by playing all these teams, we're preparing ourselves to play the best, so that when we go into playoffs, we can play with the best teams and have a lot more confidence. We feel we can play against anyone.
How old were you when you started playing goalie?
I was a freshman, actually. I was forced into it. I didn't think I was going to make the team, and the coach was like, "We need a goalie." I said, "I'll do it." She was like, "Why do you want to do it?" and I said, "Because there's no other way I'm making the team."
So had you never played field hockey at all before that?
No. My friend asked me what I was going to do in the fall. I didn't really know, and she told me to come play field hockey. This was the day before tryouts. I was like, "All right, whatever. What's the worst that can happen? I'll get cut."
You also play goalie in lacrosse. The sports are so different as far as the speed of the game. Can you equate the two?
When I first go into lacrosse season, I just keep using my legs. It's a big transition for me because when the ball is on the ground, I'm supposed to go with my stick for lacrosse, but I use my legs because for field hockey. It's a lot different, because in field hockey you're diving on the ground, and in lacrosse you're just standing there and balls are getting thrown at your face. But I play in a fall league, and I'll play indoor and I play club over the summer, so I'm constantly playing it year-round. So when the season does come, it's not as much of a shock.
You said your teammates think you're a bit crazy. Do you do other things to make them think that?
Well, the most recent thing was when we had our spirit week before homecoming, and I just painted my whole entire body red, because that was our class color. And then on color day, I painted my whole entire body black and gold and wore this wig so you couldn't even tell who I was. I went running up to the freshmen and was like, "Hey, are you ready for the game tonight?" They were just like, "Oh my gosh."
When you're not playing sports, what else do you like to do?
I have two younger brothers [Ryan and Gavin] and two younger sisters [Keriann and Shannon], and so when I'm not playing I like to hang out around the house with my family. I also attend Young Life, which is a youth group in the area.