Cold Spring Harbor 2018 grad and former FLG goalie, Chris Porzelt Jr. is in his junior year at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. Porzelt prepares to get back in the net for the upcoming spring season after his sophomore season was cancelled due to coronavirus concerns.
Q: How did you get into the sport of lacrosse and how long have you been playing for?
A: I got into the sport of lacrosse from my father and town. My town was very passionate about lacrosse. And my father introduced me to the game at a young age. I started to fall in love with the game and I have continued to play it for 12 years.
Q:What about Ursinus College and its lacrosse program helped you decide it was the right school for you?
A: From the first step on campus, Ursinus felt like home. The academics here are great and the guys on my lacrosse team are like brothers to me. My coaches made me feel like I had a great opportunity to play and grow as a player. I knew the lacrosse aspect of Ursinus was right for me. I also love the small class sizes because I can get to know my professors on a personal level. Also, I know I can go to them for help on things from both inside and outside of the classroom.
Q: How did playing for Cold Spring Harbor and FLG help prepare you for the collegiate level?
A: Whether it was playing for Cold Spring Harbor or FLG, the main thing they both taught me was to compete and always come ready to play. Playing in intense and competitive environments for Cold Spring Harbor and for FLG really helped me grow as a player and prepared me for the college level. Competing is something that our coaches really focus on at practice. So I felt like I was already ahead of the game when I got to campus as a freshman.
Q: Have you always played goalie? What about this position has made you stick to it?
A: I actually played defense until 5th grade, when my parents sat me down and asked me if I wanted to play goalie. That’s a memory I will never forget because it really shaped my lacrosse career. What I love about this position is that there is only one of you on the field, and that in order to score, the other team has to go through me. I always have a chance to make a big play, no matter what. I also enjoy the high amounts of pressure that come with playing goalie. A lot of the time, goalie play can be the determining factor when it comes to wins and losses. I have learned to perform under pressure, and I think it’s one of my favorite aspects of the position.
Q: When you’re not on the lacrosse field, what else are you likely to spend your time doing?
A: I’m an Applied Economics major with a concentration in accounting so that does take up a lot of my time throughout the week. But when I’m not doing schoolwork, I love to hang out with my friends as much as possible and enjoy the time we have together. I also like to play video games, go golfing, and take trips to Wawa with my friends.
Q: In what ways did the coronavirus quarantine impact your freshman 2020 spring season?
A: The quarantine impacted my year tremendously. It was the first time in school’s history that we started 7-0. It was also the first year I started in the cage. I was trying to make a name for myself and my team. We were ranked 6th in the nation by USILA right before the season got cancelled. It was a tough pill to swallow when we heard that we had played our last game of the season. I just tried to keep my head high and focus on the next season.
Q: What are you looking forward to most about next season?
A: I’m looking forward to just spending time with my teammates and coaches. Nothing is guaranteed. So, if I get the opportunity to play any lacrosse next season, I would be very thankful. We have a great team right now and I’m confident we could have another successful season if we got the chance.
Q: Are there any particular coaches or teammates that have taught you valuable lessons about the sport of lacrosse or life that you frequently keep in mind?
A: The main person that comes to mind is Rich Winkoff. He has coached me in every sport since I was a little kid. He taught me to really love the game of lacrosse because he made the sport fun to play. Rich was always there when I needed help. I also want to give credit to my father who was always there for me throughout lacrosse. After each game he would tell me exactly what I did right or wrong and I would learn from it. We always used to throw the ball around in my backyard and its memories like that you cherish forever.
Q:What’s your favorite quote or piece of advice you’ve ever heard or received?
A: My high school lacrosse coach, Coach Bonn, always said this one quote, “It’s the little things that matter”. I think about all the time in life. Whether it’s carrying the ball bucket so no one else has to, filling up waters, running around the field, touching the end line, doing work when no one’s watching… it all matters. You want to lead by example in everything you do.
Q: Lastly, what’s your favorite sports memory?
A: My favorite sports memory has to be my first collegiate win last spring. I had a ton of pressure going into that game. The amount of relief I got when that final whistle blew was something I will never forget. Everybody congratulating me and getting that feeling that comes from a win is the best feeling in the world.
