Sports Union September 2017 | Page 11

You get the opportunity to listen to the coaches orders and prove you are the one who can get the job done.” Getting the job done is something Dry did often. To her own admission, she started the season out a little slow - lack- ing the confidence that was needed to compete at the Division I level. As the season went on, however, Dry found the same confidence, and game, she had in high school. Once her game start- ing clicking, she became a great weapon for the Griffs. “I think personally coming into my fresh- men year I lacked con- fidence. So I started out a bit slow, but overtime I finally settled into the speed of the game,” stat- ed Dry. “I was surprised at first but after that I didn’t think about start- ing or not starting There are only two things you can control as a player and that is your work ethic and attitude. So if you have those in line, starting games comes along with it.” Work ethic is some- thing that Dry brings to the table. She knew she wanted to be an im- pact player as soon as she stepped on the pitch at Canisius. To do that, however, it meant work- ing hard during the off- season. When everyone was taking it easy after grad- uation, Dry continued to put in the hard work to make herself better. Even after a successful freshman campaign, Dry didn’t stop getting bet- ter. She played with the WNY Flash in the UWS. She even played a dif- ferent position - getting out of her comfort zone. “During the off sea- son I played with the Western New York Flash in the UWS. Personal- ly I didn’t focus on one thing to work on. I nev- er settle for good, so I worked on all aspects of my game trying to im- prove in anyway I can,” explained Dry. “For the Flash I played a different position, which allowed my to be open to new ideas and develop as a player. I think the best way to improve your game is to watch profes- sional games. You learn so much as a player watching the best of the best. I always get new ideas from it.” Getting new ideas could be scary for oth- ers teams in the MAAC. Many players, let along freshmen, would take eight goals and 20 points in a season. Deep down, though, Dry knows she can do better. She knows that if she didn’t get off to a slow start those numbers would be better. They brought her in to score goals and that’s what she is going to do. A lot of players shy away from having to SEPTEMBER 2017 | SportsUnion be the person to score and lead the team. They can’t take the pressure. Dry doesn’t worry too much if she scores or if she doesn’t. She lets the game come to her. “As forward your num- ber one job is to score goals. With that comes along a lot of pressure and let downs. When you score you are the hero but as soon as you don’t you feel the burden that you let your team down. You can’t dwell on not scoring. Person- ally I don’t get caught up with scoring a goal every game. There is so much more to a strikers game.I try to focus on my defending and mak- ing runs to distract the defense for someone else on my team as the opportunity to score. Once your main focus isn’t scoring, finding the net comes easy. It seems last year ev- 11 erything came easy for Dry, but maybe it was just the fact she was able to play in front of friends and family. Sometimes going away for college isn’t a good idea. Sure you are experi- encing a different kind of life, but you also don’t get the comforts of home when you need it. Playing is front of family and friends sometimes relaxes you, which al- lows you to play better. “Its awesome to have the opportunity to play in front of my family and friends. That is the main reason I choose Canis- ius,” stated Dry. “I am a family orientated per- son so to have my fami- ly at all my home games means a lot to me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.” If her freshman year was any indication, Canisius and Dry should be in for a great year.