As the 2024 lacrosse season finishes up, many memories come to the players. For one of the lacrosse team captains, Christian Noriega (’24), those memories are filled with both bittersweet and triumphant notes as his time at the Robinson lacrosse team comes to a close.

Noriega still remembers being fresh on the grass his junior year, when the sport had just begun to grow on him.

“I wasn’t super passionate about it at first,” Noriega said. “a couple of my friends had dragged me out, but then, I don’t know when it happened, I just started to fall in love with the game,”

For Noriega, lacrosse isn’t just a game, it’s had a profound effect on his life outside of the field, an effect he couldn’t get anywhere else.

“It’s something on a spiritual level… I’ve tried other sports and it’s irreplaceable.” Noriega said.

Noriega has had a very successful career as the goalie, with a save rate of over 50%. When asked what helps him succeed as goalie, he attributes it to his acquired mindset.

“Goalies don’t have much market success. It’s a lot of work with mentality…and I’m not afraid of getting hit with a ball.” Noriega said.

According to his former coach, one of the qualities that makes Noriega a great captain as well as a player is his coachability.

“He’s like a sponge, very teachable,” Smithers said.

Noriega agrees.

“If I’m doing something wrong, I’m not afraid to change what I’m doing If it will make me better.” Noriega said.

One of the benefits of Lacrosse is learning teamwork, and that also tracks with Noriega.

“The biggest thing I take with me off the field is the team and relationships I’ve built… it’s a very supportive group,” Noriega said.

As for his goals for the future, Noriega says that he’s working on keeping a clear and focused mind in the game and is looking forward to working towards playing in college at Dartmouth in the fall where he plans to focus on engineering.