Game Faces: Melissa Venturi

Lacrosse Standout

Year: Senior

Sport: Lacrosse

Major: Exercise science, with a minor in severe disabilities

Claim to Fame: She entered the 2007 season ranked 10th in school history in points and 11th in goals. Her 39 goals in 2006 is the seventh-best mark in Mason history, and her 50 points last season is the ninth-best mark in school history.

Honors: Venturi was named CAA Co-Player of the Week in April 2006; she received CAA Commissioner’s Academic Awards in 2004 and 2005. She entered the spring semester with a 3.82 GPA.

On Mason Head Coach Amy Bokker: “The reason I liked Amy so much is that she focuses on the hustle in the player. It is not about how tricky you are with the stick. I may not be able to do some flashy moves, but I am solid with the skills I need.”

What She Does When Not on the Field: Venturi volunteers as a physical therapy tech about seven hours every weekday at Springfield Inova Physical Therapy, working with a wide range of patients, some of whom have suffered athletic injuries.

Why Physical Therapy? “I have never been injured, but I have witnessed the recovery of fellow athletes. I volunteered at a physical therapy clinic in New Jersey after my freshman year and really enjoyed it.”

Where You Will Find Her Wednesday Nights: Watching Grey’s Anatomy with her teammates.

Superstitious? Maybe. “Since the beginning of last year, I get my hair done in a French braid by teammate Maggie Bridges before every game.”

Best Memory: Traveling to Europe as a team in 2004. “We had the opportunity to play teams from England and the Czech Republic. It was my first time out of the country and an experience I will take with me for the rest of my life.”