Nicholas Karamian
Nicholas Karamian (sophomore) scored 9 goals and 10 points in the first four games of the season for the men’s water polo team. According to Karamian, scoring 3 points in the first game of the season Aug. 29 against Bucknell University was his most significant accomplishment. Karamian played on Bucknell University’s water polo team as a freshman.
“I knew I had to perform well,” Karamian said. “There were definitely a lot of nerves going into the game. I was manifesting a good game […] and I told my teammates before [that] I wanted to score at least two or three goals […] I was fired up going against my old teammates, even though it was good to see them.”
Karamian said being able to play well against his previous team was a great feeling, and that he plans to finish out his water polo career at Occidental.
“Bucknell [is] Division I [so] it was really [time] consuming,” Karamian said. “The student-athlete life was athlete first, then student. It was hard to find a balance […] but at Oxy, I’ve had time to study and been able to focus and channel energy into the sport as well.”
According to Karamian, the Occidental water polo team had to travel for practices at the beginning of the year. Karamian said this brought back memories from playing club water polo.
“Our first week is ‘Hell Week’ at Rose Bowl,” Karamian said. “I’ve been practicing at Rose Bowl since I started playing water polo because that’s my original club, so it felt like being back at home again.”
According to Will Garcia (junior), Karamian is a good team player, and the first to check on teammates who need support and encourage others after a difficult practice.
“[Karamian] has a really strong arm,” Garcia said. “To be a good offensive player you have to really maneuver yourself around the defense — finding those gaps to […] put yourself into a position to score. [Karamian] does a really good job at that.”
According to Karamian, his goal for this season and beyond is to contribute to the improvement of the team and their shared aspiration of winning a SCIAC championship.
“My goal is to score a bunch of goals, hopefully be the top scorer and continue my performance,” Karamian said. “When I become an upperclassman, I want to be a leader on the team, potentially captain.”
Garcia said he was excited to see Karamian’s contributions to the Occidental team.
“Playing against a team you transferred from […] is an interesting position to be in. […] [Karamian] really rose to the occasion,” Garcia said.
Melanie Rodriguez
Women’s soccer goalie Melanie Rodriguez (junior) made 7 saves across the first two pre-season games of the year against Stanton University and Illinois Institute of Technology.
During a game against Illinois Tech Sep. 4, Rodriguez made 5 saves in the second half of the game.
“Going into [the game] I was doing my best in mentally preparing myself as I try to do every game,” Rodriguez said. “I want to leave every game knowing that I left my all [on the field].”
Midfielder Sophia Weigt (sophomore) said Rodriguez was up against a particularly intense offense during the game against Illinois Tech.
“They were [very] mobile in the middle,” Weigt said. “[We had] to track a lot of pieces and same with our defense. Melanie did a really good job at organizing and keeping track of [the team].”
According to Rodriguez, while goalkeeping isn’t the most physically demanding position, it is the most mentally intense. Rodriguez said she takes her role seriously, managing the immense pressure from the position through encouraging self-talk and not dwelling on mistakes.
“One mistake and the game could be over,” Rodriguez said. “I’m the backup for my defense, my midfields, my forwards.”
Weigt said Rodriguez takes a positive approach when working with her teammates.
“I always trust [Rodriguez] behind my back,” Weigt said. “She’s directing people, encouraging people and she’s never one to put you down for making a mistake. She’s always there to give you a pep talk.”
Weigt said Rodriguez is a role model for her teammates.
“She leads with confidence,” Weigt said. “She does a really good job of making everyone feel welcomed.”
Midfielder Natalia Perez (sophomore) said Rodriguez is a leader on the field.
“A lot of people watching soccer […] think about the goals scored, but you really don’t know how important a save is until you see it,” Perez said. “[Rodriguez] puts in her one hundred percent.”
Contact Sophie Ha at has@oxy.edu
