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Isabel Silvia is a dual sport athlete at St. Lawrence University captaining both her soccer and lacrosse teams this past year. On the lacrosse field she earned All-ISL honors, the Most Improved Player and Coaches Award, while on the soccer side she is a NEPSAC All-Star who received the Pioneer, Most Improved Player and Coaches Award. Silvia is a two-time ISL All-League Honorable Mention and also earned the Scholar-Athlete Award, the Priscilla Wallace Strauss Athletic Prize (the senior award for exceptional dedication to athletics), and was an honor roll student. 

Isabel is busy to say the least! But she still took time out of her jam-packed schedule to discuss balancing playing two collegiate sports and what her recruiting process looked like.

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Q: Did you always know you wanted to play two sports in college? What did that recruiting process look like for you? When did you start? 

I knew I wanted to play soccer in college but was really back and forth about lacrosse. I didn't really contact any coaches because I just wasn't sure if I wanted to commit to playing it. I also didn't play club lacrosse which made it more difficult to be seen by coaches unless I went to clinics but those usually overlapped with soccer tournaments and clinics so I always prioritized soccer. 

In terms of my soccer recruiting process I kind of started late cause I had no idea what I was doing contacting coaches. Sophomore year of high school in the winter was the first time I contacted a coach. I wasn't sure what I wanted division wise for soccer. I reached out to a bunch of schools not really targeting any. I ended up being seen at tournaments and a few camps which led me to touring schools and looking more seriously into places that were interested in me. Once I had it down to a few schools I was really interested in, I asked a little bit about lacrosse programs and if the soccer coaches thoughts were on two sport athletes. 

When I was deciding between schools at the end I had not even reached out to the lacrosse coaches at all so I just based it off of soccer and what school I liked the best. After committing to St. Lawrence I talked a little more seriously about playing lacrosse and if that could be a possibility–turns out that my high school coach was very friendly with the Saints lacrosse coach at the time, so they had connected and talked about me playing lacrosse. I ended up having a phone call with the coach  the spring of my senior year and essentially offered me a spot on the lacrosse team then. I didn't know if I wanted to play or not so it was kind of left open till I got to SLU and was forced to make a decision if I was going to play or not September of my freshman year at SLU.

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Q: Do you ever have times where balancing both teams can be difficult whether it be socially, academically, or physically? 

A: Yes definitely. Especially early on at St. Lawrence. Socially I had a really hard time transitioning from soccer season to lacrosse because I was really happy with my friends I had made during soccer season and loved the team so much. I didn't know anyone on the lacrosse team at all and was a bit intimidated by a few girls in my grade who were on the team. The first few weeks I really wasn't sure if I was going to last more than a season because I didn't really want to give it a chance. Funny looking back on it now cause I have made some of my best friends on the lacrosse team.

[It was] a bit hard socially year round because I love being a part of both teams and want to be a part of what both are doing. I always feel a little bit behind on things when I am in the season of the other sport because the team not in season is also having a non traditional season and doing a lot of things socially together. It is something you definitely need to learn to give and take and as you get older. Athletically I've definitely also had challenges too especially as I have gotten older and probably needing to take some more time off. It was something I really struggled with this year as my body was older and doesn't move the same as it used too. I also was injured during soccer and my body definitely needed more time to recover than I gave it. But it is hard to balance the fine line between getting in shape and letting your body recover and heal. Academically I always do better when I am in season. I definitely manage my time better so I prefer being in either season.

Related: Twice as Nice? Dual Sport Duke Athlete Joe Hardison Offers Advice on Recruiting

Q: What does your “off” season look like? Do you train both sports, just one? 

A: I train for soccer all summer. As soon as soccer [season] ends in November I take a week or two off and then join in right away with lacrosse lifts/running packet and captains practices until preseason starts in January. I will occasionally stop by pickup soccer or captains practices and play but my focus is mostly on lacrosse. After the season ends I usually don't touch my lacrosse stick until November.

Q: Have you ever considered focusing on one sport and giving up the other? 

A: Yes. I've had some hard times with both sports where I've maybe thought about not playing the other but no serious thoughts about giving up either. More recently I thought about possibly trying to do a 5th year playing lacrosse because I have never really focused on lacrosse before, [as] soccer was always a priority. The last few years I have really gained an appreciation for lacrosse, I never really thought I'd ever like playing the sport as much as I do now. My body however simply cannot take a 5th year so that was an idea that was not considered too seriously either.

Q: How has playing these sports bettered you in the other? Ex: staying in shape, hand eye skills? 

A: I think it has generally made me a better athlete. One thing it really helps with is how I am able to see the game. There are concepts from each sport that really translate to the other which is something that I have a unique perspective in both sports. I notice certain things in soccer that really translate on the lacrosse fields and vice versa. I will say it does keep me in shape playing two sports, but a different type of shape. I do feel it almost is a downfall in terms of strength training and being in shape that way. I don't follow the off season workout packets so I don't lift as much out of season as the rest of the team. But stamina-wise I play two positions that require a lot of running so that helps me maintain my shape for sure.

Q: Would you encourage high school athletes to pursue playing two sports in college if they desire? 

A: Yes for sure! I would encourage anyone to play as many sports for as long as you can. I had such a great experience playing both sports. Being a part of two teams is one of the best things ever. You have two built-in groups of friends from day one and two awesome experiences. I've been lucky to have some great coaches who have been so supportive and there to help with anything I needed academically, athletically, etc.

Q:  Can you offer any tips on balancing being a two sport athlete? 

A: I think just enjoy it [and] don't be too concerned about being behind or what you're missing out on with the season you are not in. Just live in the moment and enjoy the season you are in and put your best foot forward. It's such a unique experience. I felt myself getting caught up in what I couldn't do sometimes and what I may have been missing out on socially with my friends who didn't play sports. As the years have gone on I've realized how lucky I am to be doing what I am doing and just enjoy every moment of it because you don't get those memories and time on the field back. It goes by pretty quick and you will miss it very much some day!

Image Credit: St. Lawrence Athletics
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* Originally published on August 25, 2022, by Casey Chizmazia