Natalie Carti is a three-time varsity letterwinner (2010, ’11, ’12) and will play her final season at Indian Hills High School (Oakland, N.J.) this spring. She has tallied 212 goals and 172 assists in three seasons as an attacker for the Braves. With a total of 384 career points, she currently needs 20 points to become the all-time Bergen County (N.J.) point leader (403). Carti led Bergen County in points during her sophomore and junior seasons.
As a team captain during her junior year, her 69 goals and 79 assists helped her reach surpass the 300 point and 200 goal mark in her career. After leading Indian Hills to a 14-5 record, she was named first team All-League, first team All-Bergen County and first team All-Suburban. Carti also earned Academic All-America honors as a junior for her efforts on and off the field.
As a sophomore, she recorded 80 goals and 57 assists, en route to being named first team All-Independence League, first team All-County and first team All-Suburban. She tallied eight of those 80 goals in one game, setting a new school record for most goals in a single game.
As a freshman, she helped guide Indian Hills to a 17-4 record and the league championship, registering 63 goals and 36 assists as a first-year varsity letterwinner. She earned first team All-League and second team All-County honors, and was also named All-Suburban Freshman of the Year.
Carti played club lacrosse for T3 North Elite, where she helped her team win the Best of the Beach Tournament in 2011. She is also a three-year letterwinner in soccer and was named team captain as a senior.
As an Honor Roll student, Carti is a member of National Honors Society, French Club, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), and is the Secretary of Indian Hills’ Interact Club. She is also active in DECA, an organization that prepares emerging leaders for the business world.
ACCORDING TO COACH ULEHLA
“Natalie is poised to be a prolific attacker for Team One. She is a dynamic player with a versatile skill set that allows her to be both a consistent scoring threat and a key play maker. Quiet yet confident, Natalie possesses a fearless mentality and sets out to make a difference each and every day.”
What attracted you to the University of Michigan?
“The combination of academic excellence, tradition, Big Ten athletics, and the city of Ann Arbor were all factors in my decision. After visiting, I felt that it was a perfect fit and where I had always pictured myself. A big school, change of seasons, big time athletics, amazing school spirit and of course the phenomenal reputation of Michigan, all influenced my decision. I knew that going to a school like Michigan would allow me to fulfill my future goals and choice of career path.”
What are your thoughts about being part of Michigan first women’s lacrosse team?
“I feel that I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime. It took a while for it to actually hit me that we are TEAM ONE. We are going to make history at the University of Michigan — just reading that over gives me the chills. This experience will be unbelievable and is going to stay with us forever. There will be challenging times, but the experience, memories and opportunity that we all have will be amazing. I know that we are going to work hard and show everyone that we are Team One and that Michigan women’s lacrosse is going to be one to contend with.”
How has it been getting to know your future Wolverine teammates?
“Getting to know my teammates has been an amazing experience and has given me a sneak peek into what the next four years of my life are going to be like. When we all first met each other, we got along well so quickly and formed a bond right away. We are each different, yet similar in so many ways, which is incredible. We are going to be a family, so having that connection right away was great and it definitely made me happier and more excited for the journey we are going to take together.”
What do you like about Michigan/Ann Arbor from what you’ve seen so far?
“From what I’ve seen so far, I love the comfortable atmosphere of Ann Arbor and I love how big the University of Michigan is. From the start, I always told myself that I wanted to go to a big school that was in a decent size city, and thankfully that’s where I ended up. The environment is very welcoming and the ambience at Michigan seems to be very happy, like everyone loves being there. I can’t wait to spend four years at this amazing place.”
What is your favorite lacrosse moment of all-time?
“My favorite lacrosse moment of all time came during my sophomore season of high school lacrosse at Indian Hills. Prior to that season, my high school team hadn’t beaten our rival, Ramapo, in almost 10 years. Game day arrived and we knew that it was going to be a tough game, but that we could beat them. The game ended up going into double overtime. Throughout the whole game, I was double teamed and faceguarded until the end when one of my teammates was able to get me the ball. When I had the chance, I got to the net and got a shot off. It was then that Indian Hills beat Ramapo for the first time in years. That was my favorite moment — making that double-overtime goal to win the game for my team.”
How did you first get involved in lacrosse?
“I first got involved in lacrosse when I was eight years old. My dad played in high school and asked me if I wanted to play on the rec team for our town in third grade. My father and uncle were going to coach my team, as both of them played when they were younger. I ended up loving the game, and having my dad as my coach is what kept me interested in the game.”
Do you have any talents or hobbies that you’re willing to share? If so, please explain.
“Although this might not be a hobby, I enjoy reading inspirational and encouraging quotes before games and other situations in my life. I have collected magnets and signs in my room with some of my favorite quotes that inspire me every day. Throughout this TEAM ONE journey, motivational quotes will definitely be a part of my routine in order to push myself every day.”
Who is your role model, and why?
“My mother, Alicia, is my role model. She has been there for me throughout everything in my life and has taught me some of the most important things that I need to know, both now and in the future. She is hardworking, generous, smart, and beautiful on the inside and out. I look up to the decisions that she has made and I hope that I can follow in her footsteps based on her work ethic and character.”
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not playing lacrosse?
“When I am not playing lacrosse, I love spending time with family and friends, hiking with my dog, shopping, listening to music, watching movies, exercising, playing soccer and watching football.”
Favorite food … Steak
Favorite band/artist … Blink 182, John Mayer, Taylor Swift
Favorite movie … Bridesmaids, Friday Night Lights
Favorite TV show … One Tree Hill
Favorite book … The Twilight Saga
Favorite subject/class taken … Anatomy and Physiology
Favorite professional athlete … Eli Manning
Favorite place to visit/vacation … Bahamas
Favorite sport besides lacrosse … Football
Favorite holiday … Thanksgiving
Nice! Congrats Natalie!