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Sports

Carra Finds Perfect Fit at TCNJ

Lacrosse star moves on to The College of New Jersey.

When 2011 graduate Lydia Carra went looking for a right fit for college, she found it at The College of New Jersey.

Carra, who was a standout defensive-midfielder on the Panthers lacrosse team, heads to TCNJ this fall and will be part of a program that is one of the best in Division III, while also majoring in nursing there—TCNJ has one of the best nursing programs in New Jersey.

“I am so excited to attend TCNJ,” Carra said. “They have an amazing nursing program, beautiful campus and outstanding athletic programs."

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“TCNJ was my number one choice when applying to schools,” she added.

Carra said her goal is to eventually become a nurse.

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“The nursing program was what was really important to me,” Carra said. “Their program is very selective and competitive. I know that after graduation I’ll be prepared for the work field.”

TCNJ is also a major institution in D-III lacrosse. The Lions went 20-1 last year and made it to the Final Four where the team lost to Bowdoin College, 11-9.

Carra will be playing for legendary coach Sharon Pfluger, who’s entering her 26th season as coach. She has a winning percentage of over .900, and won 11 Division III National Titles, five NCAA Runner-Up titles and five third-place finishes.

“She is an amazing coach,” Carra said. “She has a great deal of experience and knows how to successfully coach a team.”

Carra started playing lacrosse her freshman year in high school, and in four short years has evolved her game under the guidance of Panthers coach Kathy DeBonis.

“It was a wonderful experience,” Carra said of playing for Bridgewater. “Playing for Coach DeBonis really allowed me to grow as a player and a person. As far as my teammates, I made lifelong friends.”

Carra said she enjoys lacrosse because it’s a “precise, fast-paced game.”

She also learned to put team first before all else by switching positions when need be and developing chemistry among a talented group of teammates.

“I know that I was always ready to do whatever the coaches asked me to do,” Carra said.

Carra said she's looking forward to starting a new chapter of her life at TCNJ.

“It was the whole packet,” Carra said. “I loved the school, I loved the area, size, nursing program and lacrosse program."

“The coaches and the girls are extremely nice and willing to help me excel on and off the field," she added. "I felt like I was part of the team even before committing.”

Over this summer, Carra got a jump start on developing chemistry with her new teammates by playing in a college lacrosse league.

“It was a great experience allowing me to work on my game and to learn from experienced college level players,” she said. “They were extremely unselfish and played for the good of the team and helped me improve my game.”

TCNJ had to replace four seniors off its last year’s team, but Carra is part of a highly-acclaimed incoming class that will help fill the void.

“They had an outstanding season with an incredible record,” Carra said. “It will be hard to replace players, but with the incoming class, I see no problem with us filling those spots successfully.”

On top of playing in the summer lacrosse league, Carra has been working on her game as well.

“Lots of running, concentrating on my speed and stick work,” Carra said of what she worked on. “It is nice that I will have the fall season to fully prepare for the spring lacrosse season.”

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