Andie Aldave, the youngest player on the 2015 U.S. U19 team and now the nation’s No. 1 recruit as a freshman at Notre Dame, learned a big lesson playing for Team USA three summers ago.
Find and earn a role on the field.
“You’re given a role and you do everything in your power to do the best you can,” Aldave said. “That really prepared me [for college]. U19 built my confidence to not be afraid to show what I have.”
And not to feel pressured when discovering Inside Lacrosse had labeled her the top incoming freshman.
“When you come to college, you’re a freshman,” Aldave said. “You restart everything you’ve done in your past. It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s what you do there that matters most. I definitely think, yes, being No. 1 has given me confidence, but in reality, it’s really just a number. Being humbled by it and taking it as something people should respect me for, that gives me a reason to work even harder.”
As a midfielder, Aldave can produce from anywhere on the field. For this tip, she demonstrates the ability to play with “big hands” and “little hands” — big hands for powerful and speedy passes and shots from longer distances, but little hands for accuracy, control and protection in tight scenarios.
“When you have your hands in a place that creates the ability for you to be free in your shooting, it will definitely create more opportunities for yourself,” Aldave said.
