Skaneateles
native Malorie
Olin looks to backstop Rollins women's lacrosse to another
title
By: Jeremy Houghtaling | April 8, 2016
Malorie
Olin accepts that bumps and bruises come with the
territory.
With limited padding and hard shots coming from many different
angles, the Skaneateles native has taken her lumps in net with the
Rollins College women's lacrosse team in Florida.
Olin has continually honed her skills since the first time she
went between the pipes in elementary school, and is now looking to
lead the Tars to another conference championship.
"I jumped in there and had a natural knack for it and I wasn't
scared of the ball," Olin said. "You get used to it and learn to
take your bruises."
Olin has started all 12 games for Rollins College this season
and registered a 5.08 goals against average and a .584 save
percentage. In more than 672 minutes of game action, the three-time
Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Week has recorded
80 saves - some of which didn't go right into the mesh on her
goalie stick.
"This year so far I'm happy with how I'm doing, but I can't take
all the credit." Olin said. "I wouldn't be in this position without
the defense in front of me."
Olin has backstopped Rollins to an 11-1 record, and the Tars
have only surrendered more than eight goals in one contest.
"The defense has done a great job in front of her, but they're
able to take more risks as a unit because they have the confidence
in Mal to play more aggressive," Rollins head coach Dennis
Short said.
As a freshman, Olin was named the conference tournament MVP
after leading the Tars to the Sunshine State Championship. She
finished the season with a .441 save percentage and 6.89 goals
against average with 124 saves, and was named the conference
Co-Freshman of the year, second team IWLCA All-Region and second
team All-SSC.
"We saw the progression last year from the first half of the
season to the second," Short said. "She came into her own in the
second half and played her best in the Sunshine State Conference
playoffs. I fully expected this season that she would pick right up
from there."
Olin is coming off a decorated high school career. She led
Skaneateles to the New York State Public High School Athletic
Association Class C championship game twice, and capped her senior
season with the title in 2014.
Still, Olin saw a big jump to the Division II level.
"The game has a much faster pace and you're seeing much better
shooters," Olin said. "You have to remain focused."
The Tars have three games left in the regular season before the
conference tournament starts on April 29.
"Right now I'm just focusing on finishing the regular season
strong and going for the conference championship … If you
try to look too far ahead, you'll overlook things," Olin said.
Win or lose, Olin believes she has found the right college for
her.
"I love where I ended up," Olin said. "I don't think there's a
better fit for me than Rollins and I've had a great time playing
lacrosse here."
Even if it comes with some bumps and bruises.
Sports writer Jeremy Houghtaling can be reached at 282-2256 or
at jeremy.houghtaling@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter
@CitizenHough.
