The transition from high school to collegiate lacrosse can often be difficult, and playing for a national caliber team like Princeton can put a lot of pressure on young players. But freshman midfielder Katie Cox has made the transition look easy.
Though it is early in the season, Cox has already proven that she is a force to be reckoned with on the women's lacrosse team. She has played and scored in all three games the Tigers have had this season and has also already notched two assists. Not bad for a freshman.
For Cox — more commonly known as 'Coxy' by her teammates and friends — lacrosse has always been a way of life. She started playing organized lacrosse in third grade and never quit. Lacrosse was a common pastime and the sport to play in her hometown of Garden City, N.Y.
"In my hometown, lacrosse is huge," Cox said. "Practically all of my friends played and it was just the thing to do."
Not only was lacrosse extremely popular where she grew up, it was also in her blood. Her father, Robert Cox, played lacrosse at Colgate. He had a big influence on getting her interested in the sport. Her interest translated to developing talent on the field.
At lacrosse powerhouse Garden City High School, Cox earned All-America as well as Academic All-America honors for a team that won state titles during her freshman and senior years. During her senior year, the team amassed a record of 19-2.
Aside from her accomplishments on the lacrosse field, Cox was also a member of the National Honor Society and a midfielder for her high school soccer team, but lacrosse always remained her sport of choice. Princeton, known for its achievements in the sport, was always where she wanted to play.
"I decided at a very young age that I wanted to go to Princeton," Cox said. "It was always a dream of mine."
Her dream became a reality when she was recruited by the Tigers last year as a member of what became an especially strong class of recruits, and she has nothing but the highest regard for her fellow freshman teammates.
"We are a big group that brings a lot of energy and depth to the team," Cox said. "Being freshmen, we are the most inexperienced and there is a lot for us to learn. However, I think we all recognize this and approach each practice with an eagerness to become better players."
Head coach Chris Sailer has recognized how quickly Cox has transitioned to college-level lacrosse and sees her as a rising star on the team.
"Katie is already a standout on the field," Sailer said. "She has the maturity and poise of a seasoned veteran and just the right mix of confidence and humility. Blessed with amazing speed, game sense and field vision, she makes the hard plays look easy."
Cox is also a competitive player who fits in well with Princeton's offensive firepower. She realizes that by playing for Princeton, she has become a member of an elite group.
"There are so many players that come out of the Princeton program," Cox said. "I wear number four on the field, a number previously worn by a fellow Garden Citian Alex Fiore. I would love to play like her one day."
Fiore, also a midfielder, graduated from Princeton in 2003 and was a starter during the 2002 and 2003 seasons when the Tigers won the national championship. In addition to her presence on the lacrosse field, she also was a member of the women's soccer team when it won the Ivy League championship in 2000.
With all of the credentials and competitive spirit Cox brings to the team, she certainly has the potential to rise to the top. So next time you are watching the women's lacrosse team, keep an eye out for the firepower and speed of the new number four. Having already realized her dream of playing lacrosse at Princeton, Cox has nowhere to go but up.
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