Tolland's Tellers At Home At Liberty As Lax Goalie, Nursing Student

CHAPEL HILL, NC — Mara Tellers stood outside the Liberty University team bus earlier this lacrosse season after a hard-fought game with the University of North Carolina.

The Tolland High School graduate played well in the Flames' 19-6 loss to the Tar Heels, but there was no time to lament. She had to eat dinner while conducting an interview and then mentally start reviewing details in her head over the 124-mile ride back to Lynchburg, VA, for tests the following day as part of her nursing degree pursuit.

Welcome to Tellers' world, easily one of the most demanding schedules in NCAA Division I lacrosse.

But she'd have it no other way.

"I think Liberty is the only Division I school that would let me play lacrosse and also be part of the nursing program," said Tellers, who is in her junior year. "I think it was absolutely the right decision for me."

Tellers drew interest from the University of Richmond and Liberty, among others, out of Tolland High School and the north central Connecticut-based Lax+ club program. She said she leaned toward Liberty from the outset.

"One thing that really drew me to Liberty was the fast style of play," Tellers said. "I'm an athletic goalie, and I'm always looking to not only make a save, but get out and start the offense."

There were other determiners.

"When I thought about being away from home, Liberty's location and the fact that it is a Christian school were factors," she said.

The courtship started at a major Northeast tournament in Devens, MA, Tellers said.

"Liberty saw me play at that tournament and reached our to club coordinator. I then went down to a prospect day. It was always at the top of my list. The coaching staff is great and said the school would also let me do nursing. I was ecstatic and committed four days after."

Though she admitted North Carolina's high powered offense is a challenge to any goalie. Tellers had some stellar moments at Dorrance Field. Early in the first quarter, she took a chance, came off her line and stuffed UNC's talented Caitlyn Wurzburger at the top of the crease. About two minutes later, she saved both a free position shot and the ensuing rebound.

Early in the second quarter, she intercepted a centering pass to start a Liberty transition and then made two athletic saves on UNC's Caroline Godine and Eva Ingrilli, each from about 5 meters out.

The UNC game was a test of what Liberty's maddening 2024 schedule would be, with games against not only the Tar Heels, but No. 16 Virginia, No. 18 Richmond, traditional power Duke and Notre Dame. The Flames are 3-5 coming off their West Coast Swing at San Diego State and Arizona state and heading into their March 21 contest against Louisville at home.

Tellers said it's the best way to tune up for the Atlantic Sun Conference campaign.

"It's the hardest schedule in the country in my opinion," Tellers said. "And It will definitely prepare us for the A-Sun. We're one of the favorites to win the conference and the non-conference schedule helps by giving us the perspective to be able to play at that high level. We will be ready.

"Being able to play in games like these is all part of how I've developed as a goalie at Liberty. I'm prepared. The more shots you see, the better you get. I see a high of shots day-in and day-out."

Tellers arguably sees more things daily than most Division I athletes, especially since her nursing clinicals have begun.

"It's very intense and very involved," she said. "But I also know by combining nursing with lacrosse, I'll get two hours at the end of the day, plus games, to just be myself. Being a goalie also helps in nursing because of the teamwork. I am being a leader — calling the defenses and working as a unit with the defenders on the field. Nursing also involves a lot of teamwork, which a goalie must be part of."

She'd like to keep combining the two.

"I can see myself staying with lacrosse and eventually I can see myself coaching," Tellers said. "Nursing is definitely a priority now, but I'll always love lacrosse. Liberty has given me so much as a player and a chance to grow person."