Women’s recruit: Friends’ Central senior goalie Belkoff finds harmony in choosing Muhlenberg

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/23/10

Recent Friends’ Central graduate Emily Belkoff (goalie) has committed to play Division III lacrosse at Muhlenberg College.

Belkoff was a first-team Friends Schools League pick this year and a co-MVP for a Phoenix team that claimed the league championship.

Belkoff plans to take the prerequisite courses for a pre-med program and eventually plans to study neuroscience, but will likely major in music.

“Muhlenberg is so perfect because I am getting everything I ever wanted from one place,” she said. “It has very competitive athletics and it has a phenomenal pre-med program.”

Belkoff admitted she is taking a different path to medical school, but believes it will pay
off.

“Ninety percent of all students applying to medical school major in biology, but I adore playing, listening to and appreciating music,” she said. “I can still fulfill my prerequisite courses and major in music.

“That way I can kill two birds with one stone; It’s not the conventional way, but I am a goalie, so I am nuts to begin with.”

At Muhlenberg Belkoff will join Friends’ Central teammate and all-league defender Kaitlyn McCaffrey.

Belkoff, who received a verbal commendation for her role in the Ivy League Model United Nations Conference, compared Muhlenberg favorably to an ideal education at Friends’ Central.

“Muhlenberg is like Friends’ Central on steroids,” said Belkoff. “I love a tightly-knit community and Muhlenberg is known as the college that cares. I know that sounds corny, but that’s what I am looking for.”

Belkoff, who played club lacrosse for Ultimate Goal, wished to thank her coaches at Friends’ Central for helping her reach her goals. She also said that her teammates made the 2010 season special – culminating with a 13-2 win over defending champion Germantown Friends in the league title game.

“This season didn’t start just on March 18 when we played our first scrimmage,” she said. “It all began last season after being defeated by Shipley in the semifinals. The loss was devastating and we all spent countless hours over the summer going to camps and playing club ball.

“We revamped our team and took it to the next level. We knew we had one goal in mind; to win the Friends’ Schools League championship. When it came time to compete in that championship game, we were ready from the first whistle.”