Caroline Adams didn’t lose often as a soccer, basketball and lacrosse player at Hanover High. She didn’t lose at all this spring as a member of Middlebury College’s women’s lacrosse squad, helping the Panthers go 23-0 and capture their third consecutive NCAA Division III title.
A natural midfielder who switched to attack as the season progressed, Adams had 15 goals and 11 assists for 26 points, 22 of them during Middlbury’s final 13 games.
“We have a big team and a lot of people trying to have an impact in our games,” said Middlebury coach Kate Livesay. “Caroline went about it in a really earnest and hardworking way.”
That meant that, despite a stretch on the bench after starting the season opener, Adams didn’t complain or sulk. She spent considerable time working before practice as a member of the Panthers’ draw-control unit, eventually taking them in games.
Adams was also unperturbed when she was switched to attack, a position with which she had little experience. Knowing she would get on the field for draws built her confidence, which carried over to production during the run of play.
Livesay didn’t want to disrupt her midfield rotation and when she asked her team leaders for thoughts on which reserves could handle a promotion, Adams’ name surfaced.
“They said she plays like a senior,” the coach said. “She has good dodges, timing and tremendous vision to feed her teammates.”
Those traits were doubtless aided by Adams’ time on the soccer pitch and basketball court. As a point guard in the latter sport, she became accustomed to handling the ball under pressure and in big games, helping Hanover win the 2019 and 2022 NHIAA Division II titles. The trend in college recruiting is for high school players to specialize through club teams, but Adams never took that approach, attending summer camps in multiple sports.
“I think some of my lacrosse skills could have been better coming out of high school, but basketball and soccer were huge in helping my overall sports IQ,” she said. “My quickness and defensive skills also transferred over.”
Adams’ goal to play at Middlebury was helped by Hanover coach Sarah Martin, a onetime Panthers standout in lacrosse and later an assistant for two of the school’s national title teams in the sport. While Adams’ recruiting profile was perhaps a bit low, Martin’s recommendation carried significant weight, and Livesay kept an eye on the Norwich resident when she attended camps and also sent an assistant to watch her play a high school game.
“Sarah’s really the one who got her on our radar,” Livesay said. “She had wonderful things to say about Caroline, and we trusted her input.”
Adams discovered the universal truth for college athletes: Time management is crucial. Practice is at least two hours a day, five days per week, and the weekend is consumed by games. There are also strength and conditioning sessions, and Middlebury is one of the country’s most demanding academic institutions.
“It’s definitely a big time commitment, but it’s so worth it,” said Adams, whose team was top-ranked the entire season. “To share the wins and excitement with 35 people I felt supported by and connected with was incredibly special.”
Livesay predicts Adams will return to the midfield next season and is as impressed with the freshman’s character as with her on-field skills.
“She’s grateful for her opportunities, and that’s important on a championship team, to have grounded, diligent, happy players,” the coach said. “Those are the ones who keep things in perspective and handle the big moments.”
Tris Wykes can be reached at twykes@vnews.com.