Juggling two sports in college has become rarer through the years.
Sophomore Eva Bellotti is achieving the unusual combination of playing on the women’s ice hockey and women’s lacrosse teams at Trine University. The Angola school plays at the NCAA Division III level.
A 2023 Carmel High School graduate, Bellotti said the hardest part is during preseason.
“Both sports hold practices at the same time,” Bellotti said. “This is the first chance to meet the incoming freshmen and any new members on the teams, so I try my best to make it to both sports.”
Bellotti said she only focuses on the sport in session once the season begins.
“There is a little bit of overlap, and I usually am in hockey championships during the first lacrosse games,” she said. “I am thankful that both my hockey and lacrosse coaches work together to allow me to be a dual athlete.”
Bellotti, whose hockey season begins Nov. 8, was named the hockey team’s Most Improved Player last season. She followed that up by being selected as the lacrosse team’s Rookie of the Year.
Despite the hectic schedule, Bellotti has maintained her grades.
“I have set a goal to make the dean’s list every semester, as learning is very important to me and the reason I am in school,” she said. “Practices take up three to five hours of my day. I am taking 17 credit hours, and keeping up with schoolwork has definitely been a challenge. We are on the road a lot for both sports, so I have to miss class often.”
Bellotti said most of the Trine professors are understanding and work with student-athletes to make up assignments and assessments.
“I have been able to maintain my grades and make the dean’s list both semesters so far with discipline, focus and organization,” she said.
Bellotti began playing hockey when she was 8 years old and lacrosse when she was 13.
“Both teams have a strong family environment that is really special to be a part of,” she said.
In hockey, she said she is confident in her role, since she has played a similar defensive role for the past decade.
Bellotti plays on the defense side for the lacrosse team, too.
“Last season I was able to increase my team’s clearing percentage and helped get them to the conference championship game,” she said. “Great coaching and great teammates make both experiences exciting for me.”
Bellotti played lacrosse for four seasons at CHS and was on the Icehounds’ Blue team for two seasons.
“I was the first girl to be voted as a captain of the Icehounds,” she said. “That team was very special to me and it was a lot of fun leading them throughout the season. I was one of five amazing ladies to play with the Icehounds.”
