Hailey Wexler ’26

Not much gets past TCNJ’s women’s lacrosse goalie.

Words by Mark Simon

Goaltender Hailey Wexler '26

The first sport I played was ice hockey, and I was 3 years old when I started. In fifth grade, all my friends were playing lacrosse, so I tried that, too. I joined the West Windsor Plainsboro recreation team, and each player took turns being goalie, but no one wanted to be in that position. My coaches said, “You played hockey; you shouldn’t be afraid of the ball.”

The movements for a goalie were natural for me, and I just fell in love with it. I was moved up a year and played with older girls; I felt that meant I was doing a good job. 

I’m an athletic goalie. I love jumping out of the crease and getting interceptions on passes. I’m a big fan of throwing the ball 30 yards to get the ball from the defensive end to our offense so they can get a fast break against the other team’s defense. 

I was recruited by TCNJ and felt it was the best choice for me. I liked the history of the program and all the national championships they have won. TCNJ offers a kinesiology and health sciences major, which is what I wanted.

The goalie coach, Bob Henderson, was a big factor, too. He’s the goalie guru in Central Jersey. A lot of schools don’t have goalie coaches. When I was looking at colleges, I wondered, “How am I going to get better if I don’t have a goalie coach?” He’s able to point out the smallest things: critiquing your stance, how you’re stepping to the ball, making sure your angles are proper. 

Our head coach, Sharon Pfluger, has been amazing. She cares about us as athletes and as people. Everything we learn sets us up to be successful in life.

I’m a fifth-year senior. I had the most amazing goalie partner, All-American Julia Charest, for four years. The plan is that I’m the starting goalie this year. 

The best part of being a goalie is when you make a big save and everyone cheers. The hardest thing is that you’re the last line of defense. There are always going to be people that blame you for losing a game or allowing a goal. I learned early on in my career to ignore that. 

At TCNJ, senior kinesiology majors are required to do a 400-hour internship. Mine was in the athletic training room. I got to interact with our athletes, see their injuries, and help them get better. 

I want to coach both hockey and lacrosse. I’ve coached summer lacrosse in Princeton for the past two years. Coaching young goalies is fun. I get to teach my style of play to kids in middle and high school. You get to make mini versions of yourself. 

Photos: Hannah Yoon