RUN IT BACK
Shen’s Kisling still focused on improving as field hockey goalie preparing for Division I lacrosse
CLIFTONPARK, NY » Payton Kisling has only allowed one nonshootout goal so far inthe 2020 season for Shenendehowa. Although, at this time next year, she will be in her offseason.
The Shen multi- sport athlete plans on playing Division 1 lacrosse at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. While Kisling has been a standout backstop for Shen this season, she plays a different role in lacrosse.
“I play midfield and defense in lacrosse,” Kisling said. “I started playing lacrosse when
I was six years old, so I’ve been playing for a really long time.”
“I like the competitiveness of lacrosse and I’ve continued to grow my love for the game over the years and it’s always just felt like the right one to continue playing in college.”
For now, you’ll still findKisling in the net for the Plainsmen, and she isn’t going away anytime soon. That is, unless Shen gets an insurmountable lead and her backup is able to get some minutes.
That was the case for Kisling last Thursday against Saratoga in the Plainsmen’s 8- 0 victory. For the remainder of the game, Kislingwas cheer
ing on her backup, Brianna Anslow, from an unfamiliar position, the sidelines.
“I’malways really happy for Brianna when she’s able to get in the game,” Kisling said. “She’s a very skilled goalie and we’re pretty much equals.”
Having a big lead was a welcome site for Kisling and her teammates, as two nights prior they were locked in a battle with Burnt Hills that went to a shootout, eventually going the Spartans way.
“I definitely think that it humbled us and it showed us thatwe can lose and that we’re going to work that much harder to show the kind of team that we are and what we’re capable of,” Kisling said, who allowed three shootout scores after posting a shutout through the overtime period in the first Burnt Hills game.
The Shen senior and Division 1 lacrosse commit continued.
“Obviously I was upset with myself with how I played in the shootout. Later I realized that without our defense holding up the zero-zero score thenwe don’t even get to that point in the game. I was really proud of how we played that day.”
On Wednesday night, October 28, Shenendehowa will host Burnt Hills and get their chance for payback. With the short turnaround, Kisling will have her work cut out for her, but she knows what she has to do.
“We practiced our overtimes, a lot, “she said. “We had practiced them a little bit before, but not as much as we needed to. Now I think we’re getting more confident in our overtimes.”
After that loss to Burnt Hills, Shen won two consecutive 8-0 games, against Saratoga and Niskayuna and then defeated Guilderland 3- 0 in a rematch of the 2019, Class A championship.
“I think we’ve really restored our confidence. We’re going to be really hyped up, we’ve improvedourpassing and we’re back on the right track,” Kisling said.
“They’re definitely on our radar more now and we’re going to put in the work to get to a level where we can beat them.”
For Kisling, playing field hockey in addition to lacrosse has allowed her to explore different parts of her personality, becoming more of a leader on and off the field.
“In general, I’m more of a quiet person, but goalies are responsible for the entire defense, so on the field I’m able to let my voice be heard,” she said.
“In lacrosse I’m part of the defense and midfield with my teammates, but as the goalie you get to set everything up, be the leader and really step up and that’s a pretty unique opportunity.”