Leading Oak Park High School’s girls lacrosse team, senior Allison Hoffman scored eight goals and five assists during her last two games against Agoura and Oaks Christian. For Hoffman, lacrosse is more than just a sport; it’s a community of tightly knit friendships.
“I’ve been playing for six years now, and the opportunity to meet new people and work together as a team has inspired me to keep going,” Hoffman said.
While success on the field is crucial to Hoffman, forming meaningful connections with her teammates is equally as important. She switched to OPHS in her junior year and has spent the last two years cultivating those relationships.
“Specifically, at Oak Park, I enjoy being a part of a team that fosters such a positive team culture,”
Hoffman said. “The lacrosse team has been exactly what I was hoping for when I made the switch.”
To prepare for a game, Hoffman tries to be in her best mental state to ensure that she has a clear headspace, free of distractions.
“When I start to think about things like a ground ball, pass or shot, I end up overthinking and tend to lose focus,” Hoffman said.
However, Hoffman faced some bumps in the road during August of her senior year.
“I verbally committed to Lindenwood University as a late Division 1 recruit,” Hoffman said. “However, due to new NCAA roster limits, I got a call from my coach in early November saying that I was being let go because they over-recruited.”
Instead of letting this setback bring her down, Hoffman made it her goal to maintain a positive attitude and look toward a brighter future.
“I kept pushing forward and didn’t give up on the recruiting process. I reached out to other schools and kept looking for new opportunities,” Hoffman said. “Even though I’m still not sure where I’ll end up for college, I’m excited for next chapter of my lacrosse career.”
This persistent and resilient attitude translates to Hoffman’s lacrosse game; she doesn’t let obstacles hinder her progress and she encourages other student-athletes to do the same.
“My best advice to teenage athletes is to surround yourself with a positive environment and supportive teammates. Trust yourself and don’t hesitate to move on if it’s not the right fit,” Hoffman said.
