A two-time first team All-American in lacrosse who just scored the 100th goal of her career, Scheessele still enjoys relative anonymity despite her amazing accomplishments, and this is how she would like to keep things.
She manages this because, despite the fact that she will end her career as the third leading scorer in Amherst history, she isn't even the leading scorer on the team. That title goes to fellow senior and preseason National Player of the Year Kristin Osborn, who has been a standout player since her first season of lacrosse.
Scheessele's stats, though not team leading, are certainly impressive. In her yet uncompleted four years in the purple and white, she has notched 101 goals and 35 assists for a total of 136 points. This season alone she has 30 points with 24 scores and six assists.
While it could be difficult for someone who would be the leading scorer on most teams to accept playing with such a dominant player as Osborn, Scheessele enjoys her position. In fact, she said that even in high school she was the second leading scorer, so she is used to that status. "I played a similar role in high school, and I actually like it better. I don't think that one player can win games for you; I don't think that's the true meaning of 'team,'" she said. "Besides," she continued, "I love playing with Kristin; anything that you throw near her she puts in the goal, so you look good by getting the assist."
Head Coach Chris Paradis says this is the attitude that Sarah has always had. "She is one of the most humble and unselfish players I've ever seen, but she is also one of the most talented players I've ever coached," said Paradis.
Paradis also said that Scheessele has the best stickwork on the team and acts as the "primary connector between the defense and the attack."
"She is somewhat in the shadows with Kristin being such a dominant player, but she accepts that role. We're just fortunate to have them both on the same team," she said.
In fact, the relative lack of attention that Scheessele has received has given her even more scoring opportunities. Earlier in the season, teams spent much of their time face-guarding Osborn in an attempt to beat Amherst, but this allowed Scheessele and her teammates scoring opportunities. Soon teams realized the futility of trying to shut down just one aspect of the Amherst attack.
"If they face-guard one of us, then the other scores, so it's just a trade off," Scheessele said. This laid-back attitude probably explains why Scheessele is known for her complete calmness during the game. One of her teammates incredulously asked her, "Do you ever get nervous?"
But she wasn't always so calm. During her first start Scheessele was so tense she could hardly move. "Someone passed me the ball, and it just bounced off my stick and hit the ground. Coach put me right back on the bench," she said.
Now, though, she has so much fun playing the game that she has forgotten how to be nervous. In fact, Scheessele is known by her coach and teammates for always smiling, even during the most intense moments of the game.
"My teammates tease me about that," she said, "They say I'm smiling even when I'm shooting."
Her coach doesn't doubt that. "I think that Sarah is someone that quietly gets its done. She never lets the pressure of the situation get to her. She maintains a level of intensity that is unmatched, and she does it all with a smile on her face. She's out there having fun and she knows how to keep it all in perspective."
Scheessele's invaluable contributions have helped Amherst play at the highest level, especially this season. They are currently ranked second in the nation with a record of 8-1, but have risen as high as the top spot, in no small way due to Scheessele's efforts.