Congratulations to Sarah Gastineau on her commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Butler University!
A standout player, vocal leader, and relentless competitor, Sarah Gastineau’s journey to the Division I level has been nothing short of remarkable. Her recent commitment to Butler University is a testament to years of hard work, perseverance, and a deep love for the game. This moment marks a major milestone in a lacrosse career built on grit, steady growth, and an unshakable belief in herself.
For Sarah, choosing Butler felt like destiny. “It was the first and last school I visited,” she said with a smile. “The beautiful campus immediately captured my attention, but it was the people—the warmth of the community and the support I felt from everyone I met—that made me realize Butler was where I belong.”
But the path to this achievement was anything but easy. Sarah’s recruiting process was demanding—filled with late nights writing emails, phone calls with coaches, weekend showcases, and the constant pressure to perform. “The recruiting process is difficult and mentally challenging,” she shared. “It pushed me to stay focused and reminded me how important it is to believe in yourself, even when things feel uncertain.”
Sarah’s lacrosse journey began in elementary school, introduced to the sport by her older brother. She officially started playing in fourth grade and quickly fell in love with the speed, intensity, and strategy of the game. From that moment on, lacrosse became more than a sport—it became her passion and her purpose.
One of the most unforgettable moments in her early career came as a freshman, when she scored the first goal of a sectional playoff game. “The energy in that moment, the roar of support from my teammates, and the feeling of accomplishment—it’s something I’ll never forget,” Sarah recalled. “It made me realize that the hard work really does pay off.”
Sarah has also faced adversity along the way, including missing an entire tournament season due to unforeseen circumstances. Rather than allowing the setback to defeat her, she chose to grow from it. “It taught me the value of patience, mental toughness, and finding ways to support my team even when I couldn’t be on the field,” she said. “Sometimes, your biggest growth happens during the toughest times.”
Now, as she prepares to take the next step in her athletic and academic career, Sarah is filled with excitement and motivation. She’s eager to compete at the collegiate level, embrace the faster pace of play, and to the younger players “Keep working, don’t compare yourself to others, anything is possible.”
