From an early age, Bridget Lang has looked up to her dad. With her father playing goalie in college, it's no wonder that the Chesterfield, N.J., native is in the position she is in.

“One of my biggest inspirations in the sport is my Dad.  He has been my biggest supporter since the very beginning and has provided me with resources to develop as a player so that I could take my game to the level in which I'm currently playing,” Lang explains. “Although he never once pushed me into becoming a goalkeeper, I wanted to be just like him.  At a young age, I dreamed of playing goalkeeper in college, just like my Dad.  He never once gave up on me and never let me give up on myself.”

Signing her up at a young age to play soccer, Lang's father – and her mother – has been a constant source of encouragement, traveling around the country for her games, spending hours in the car and flying from Altanta, Ga., to St. Louis, Mo., to see her play.

That family encouragement has, of course, also been present off the field, helping Lang be one of 10 athletes honored with the Lysle “Spike” Garnish award for excellence both on the field and in the classroom. Her aunt and uncle, UR alumni, were a big reason why she chose to come to Rochester, encouraging her to apply to the school.

Upon arrival for a campus visit, Lang was looking for a family that gave her the support and encouragement that she had grown up with – and she found one.

“Education aside, I was also drawn in by the friendly campus atmosphere,” she explains. “When I first set foot on campus for my tour in the dead of winter, students and faculty were warm and welcoming (despite the freezing temperatures).”

Then, of course, there was the atmosphere on the women's soccer team. A three-year starter in between the pipes, Lang knows pressure all too well. “The goalkeeper is the last line of defense. You are not allowed to make mistakes. Everyone else on the field has someone behind them to back them up in case they make a mistake. The only thing behind a goalkeeper is an empty net.”

While she may literally be the last line of defense – a line she doesn't often let opponents cross – she has always had the support of her team behind her.

“My teammates have always made bouncing back after another team scores much easier.  They are always there to tell me 'shake it off', or 'we'll get one back for you',” Lang explains. “I love and respect each and everyone one of my teammates, and know that they support and respect me just the same.”

True to the Garnish award's theme, Lang doesn't just excel on the field. She is as focused and motivated off the field as she has been on it.

A biochemistry major Lang appreciates “how biochemistry integrated multiple facets of biology and chemistry.  I was able to connect genetics, molecular biology, and organic chemistry through studying various chemical processes involved in living organisms.”

It hasn't always been easy – trying to develop effective study habits with a busy schedule never is. “When I became a workshop leader for a biochemistry course, I took a leader training class where I learned the significance of applications and integration of material in learning and understanding,” she explains. “I found that in my other classes, I started looking more at the 'big-picture' and making connections within the material.”

Tying together various experiences has been one of the most important parts of Lang's time out of the classroom, too. This past summer, she conducted research in Dr. Mark Dupont's lab in the biochemistry department as a part of the DeKiewiet fellowship, while also coaching a youth soccer league in Rush Henrietta with teammate Allison Bernstein. As a result of varied experience, Lang aims to integrate working with children and her interest in the sciences.

Thanks to shadowing experiences at Strong with Dr. David Korones, Lang plans to pursue a career as a doctor, potentially working in pediatric oncology. “I have observed how Dr. Korones connects with and touches the families of the children whom he treats, and I would love to have a similar experience in my career,” Lang explains.

Whether it was from a parent, teammate or mentor, Lang has learned the importance of support and encouragement. Now going forward, she hopes to be a source of those values to others.