TicketsCINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati lacrosse team has completed non-conference play, and GoBearcats.com checked in on junior defender Sophia Finotti about her background and how the team is moving forward into its AAC campaign.
Finotti, a native of Westerville, Ohio, is an Interdisciplinary Nursing Prep major and one of the leaders on the defensive end for the Bearcats. She was also named to the AAC's All-Academic Team in 2021.
UC will host No. 10 Florida on Sunday (11 a.m.) inside Nippert Stadium.
How did you start playing lacrosse, did you grow up playing or was it something you picked up later?
"I have been playing lacrosse since I was in third grade. I have two older sisters who also played before me, so that is how I got into it. I started playing summer ball in fifth grade."
Can you describe playing with your sister here at UC? What did you learn from her?
"Playing with my sister was one of the most unique and cool experiences that I could have had, especially in a college setting. In high school it was really fun playing with her and being under her lead. In college, something that I learned from her is to always work hard and to also have fun and enjoy the college experience. I think that she is one of the girls on the team last year that I really looked up to. She is someone I looked up to as a role model. Her hard work, effort, and positive mindset really helped me pave my way through my college years."
Since Jennie was an offensive player, did you guys get to go head-to-head with each other?
"I did, which was always fun. I would say that we butted heads, and we did a lot in high school. My dad was our coach as well in high school, so it was a whole family thing there. I think that us butting heads was good to a certain point. It was fun and also competitive."
With your sister not on the team this year, has this year felt any different than the past couple of years?
"I would say that it definitely feels different. It has helped me have a bigger role on the team and become a leader myself. I feel like the past two years with my sister and with the fifth- and six-years last year allowed me to see leaders and I was following their lead. I think that this year has been nice, and I have been able to step up and hopefully have been a person that my teammates look up to and look at as a leader."
Since this is your third year, do you consider yourself a leader now?
"I do consider myself a leader now. In the off-season I worked hard and have had a good mindset. I am hoping that is something that the underclassmen can see. I hope it is something they can look up to as they continue in with their careers. I hope they can follow my foot steps into becoming a leader."
How would you describe your leadership style?
"I would say that I am a leader by example. I have few words but I try to make the words I do say to people are meaningful, positive and encouraging. I think that the positive energy I have shown this year helps the team."
What goals does the team have for the remaining part of the season?
"One of the goals that we set during the preseason was to win our conference championship. We also had some team goals like keeping above a 3.5 GPA as a team. Winning the conference championship was and is our main focus. We have been able to make it to the conference tournament the last few years. Some people might look at us as underdogs, but I think that if we continue to work hard and show grit like we have been then we definitely have a shot."
What is something you are looking forward to this season?
"Finishing out this season on a strong note and giving it all we have. I think that conference play will be good for us. We are all ready and excited for it. We will face some tough opponents, but I think that it can be really exciting for us if we play like we were taught to play. It would be cool if we could make it back to the conference tournament, which is what I would say is a favorite memory of my collegiate career so far."
Finotti, a native of Westerville, Ohio, is an Interdisciplinary Nursing Prep major and one of the leaders on the defensive end for the Bearcats. She was also named to the AAC's All-Academic Team in 2021.
UC will host No. 10 Florida on Sunday (11 a.m.) inside Nippert Stadium.
How did you start playing lacrosse, did you grow up playing or was it something you picked up later?
"I have been playing lacrosse since I was in third grade. I have two older sisters who also played before me, so that is how I got into it. I started playing summer ball in fifth grade."
Can you describe playing with your sister here at UC? What did you learn from her?
"Playing with my sister was one of the most unique and cool experiences that I could have had, especially in a college setting. In high school it was really fun playing with her and being under her lead. In college, something that I learned from her is to always work hard and to also have fun and enjoy the college experience. I think that she is one of the girls on the team last year that I really looked up to. She is someone I looked up to as a role model. Her hard work, effort, and positive mindset really helped me pave my way through my college years."
Since Jennie was an offensive player, did you guys get to go head-to-head with each other?
"I did, which was always fun. I would say that we butted heads, and we did a lot in high school. My dad was our coach as well in high school, so it was a whole family thing there. I think that us butting heads was good to a certain point. It was fun and also competitive."
With your sister not on the team this year, has this year felt any different than the past couple of years?
"I would say that it definitely feels different. It has helped me have a bigger role on the team and become a leader myself. I feel like the past two years with my sister and with the fifth- and six-years last year allowed me to see leaders and I was following their lead. I think that this year has been nice, and I have been able to step up and hopefully have been a person that my teammates look up to and look at as a leader."
Since this is your third year, do you consider yourself a leader now?
"I do consider myself a leader now. In the off-season I worked hard and have had a good mindset. I am hoping that is something that the underclassmen can see. I hope it is something they can look up to as they continue in with their careers. I hope they can follow my foot steps into becoming a leader."
How would you describe your leadership style?
"I would say that I am a leader by example. I have few words but I try to make the words I do say to people are meaningful, positive and encouraging. I think that the positive energy I have shown this year helps the team."
What goals does the team have for the remaining part of the season?
"One of the goals that we set during the preseason was to win our conference championship. We also had some team goals like keeping above a 3.5 GPA as a team. Winning the conference championship was and is our main focus. We have been able to make it to the conference tournament the last few years. Some people might look at us as underdogs, but I think that if we continue to work hard and show grit like we have been then we definitely have a shot."
What is something you are looking forward to this season?
"Finishing out this season on a strong note and giving it all we have. I think that conference play will be good for us. We are all ready and excited for it. We will face some tough opponents, but I think that it can be really exciting for us if we play like we were taught to play. It would be cool if we could make it back to the conference tournament, which is what I would say is a favorite memory of my collegiate career so far."