Quick Q&A: Caitlin Carter, Stillwater girls' hockey

As a sophomore last season, Carter was the starting goalie for Stillwater and ended with a 11-5 record and a 2.42 goals-against average in the regular season. In the playoffs, the Ponies lost 4-1 to eventual Class 2A state champion Hill-Murray in a section final. As practices resumed last week for another season, Carter is prepared to welcome back the pressures and challenges that define her position.

Q Have you always played goalie?

A Actually, no. I started out as a player when I was really young. When I turned 10, I started to play goalie and fell in love with it. I have played it ever since.

Q Why did you fall in love with it?

A I feel like a big part of the team as a goalie. It just feels right.

Q What is the biggest part of that role?

A I have to be a leader. If we get scored on, I just need to lift the girls up. If I get down, it could bring the team down. Keeping a good attitude will be a big part of my role.

A If you let in a goal or two, you start to get down on yourself. My coach always tells me just to think about it, and then flush it down the toilet and get back in the game. So that is what I try to focus on.

Q What is it like to have a puck fly at you?

A You get used to it after a while. But there are some girls on the team with a really hard shot. I just think about all the gear I am wearing and, I think, this won't hurt that bad!

Q What was the most epic save you made last season?

A The section semifinal against Cretin-Derham Hall was really fun. We were behind going into the final period and then we scored three goals to come out with the win. At one point in the third period, they tapped it to the back door and I had to slide and make a glove save. They would have tied or won with that goal.

A A lot of time people say that goalies are just weird. Who would want to be in front of the puck? You could say I am a little strange. I like to joke around and have a fun time. I don't really care what people think about me. I just like to laugh a lot.