Tiffany Pulaski is no pushover.
Instead, the junior midfielder is usually the one doing the pushing and shoving.
And as long as her team is winning, it doesn’t matter how many opponents might get knocked to the turf.
“She’s tough, smart, and when she gets angry, you definitely don’t want to be in her way because then she is unstoppable,” says freshman teammate Corey Leader.
A graduate of nearby Boyertown High School, Pulaski has brought her aggressive playing style to Temple, aiding the lacrosse team to a 2002 Atlantic 10 Championship, and is hungry to help the Owls bring home another one this season.
She’s second on the team with 37 points, including 28 goals from only 50 shots through 12 games, Pulaski has turned her sharp-shooting up a few notches this season to become a well known threat throughout the college lacrosse scene.
“Tiffany is one of our all-stars…she is a high scorer, she’s tough on defense and always covers the top midfielders from opposing teams,” coach Kim Ciarrocca said.
“She is a vital part of the heart and soul of this team.”
Pulaski is not someone who is to be mistaken as a humble person while on the field.
She plays hard and has no problem notifying rivals that she will haunt them for an entire game.
“When I’m out on the field, I try to be a finesse player, as well as mixing in a bit of toughness,” Pulaski said.
“If I have to get rough, I’ll do just that. I’ll do whatever it takes to help the team win a game.”
This type of play has helped earn the respect from all those around her on the Owls’ squad, which currently holds a 6-6 overall, 1-4 A-10 record.
“Tiff is a great player, she is unselfish, and quite possibly the best lacrosse player I have ever played with,” says her best friend and teammate Erin Malany.
Highlights from this season include four goals and two assists against George Washington, two goals and three assists against Villanova, two goals and two assists against Colgate, and three goals and one assist against Pennsylvania.
In the A-10 opener against Massachusetts, Pulaski had two crucial goals to lead Temple to its first conference win.
But Pulaski credits her success in finding the back of the net to her teammates.
“Without my teammates, I wouldn’t be able to be as successful as I have been,” she said.”
If I’m not doing well or having a bad day, they are always around to pick me up in a positive way.”
Pulaski’s preparation for games and the long season is a bit different from other players, mainly because she chooses not to think too much about how she will perform during games.
“I really don’t try to think at all before or during a game,” Pulaski said. “If you think too much, that’s when you ruin your game.”
David Gunning can be reached at Psgunn11@hotmail.com.
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