Jamie Ortega
Photo by: UNC Athletic Communications
GoHeels Exclusive: Unfazed
February 8, 2019 | Women's Lacrosse, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
When she was in the middle of it, one of the best seasons not only by a freshman, but by any player in North Carolina women's lacrosse history, Jamie Ortega seemed unfazed.
Her confidence, often described by Marie McCool as that of an upperclassman than someone a year removed from high school, never wavered. No moment, not even an early-season victory over Maryland or any of the Tar Heels' six postseason games, ever appeared too big for her.Â
But everything wasn't always as easy as Ortega made it look in earning ACC and National Freshman of the Year honors and setting UNC freshman records for goals (70) and points (86).
Like any freshman, she said it took her some time to adjust to the increase in competition. She also had to acclimate to new rules, such as the ability to self-start. Nothing was perhaps more challenging, though, than handling the pressure that came with being a two-time US Lacrosse All-American and Inside Lacrosse's No. 1-ranked freshman attacker.
"It was nerve-wracking coming in as a freshman and having all these accolades," Ortega said. "People expect a lot from you, like your parents, your friends, your teammates, your coaches. So, trying to live up to those expectations, it wasn't easy. But I had to work hard and set myself above those standards that people had for me."
Just like she's always done.
From the time she started playing the sport in second grade, Ortega, from Centereach, N.Y., said lacrosse "felt easy." She always desired to have a stick in her hand. So, when her parents told her around fifth or sixth grade that she needed to choose between travel soccer or lacrosse, the decision was simple.
By seventh grade, she said she felt like playing in college had become a possibility. It seemed even more feasible when she joined the varsity team at Middle Country High that same year.
Instead of playing girls her age, Ortega faced off against the likes of Shelby Fredericks, Northwestern's all-time leader in draw controls, and Boston College senior Sam Apuzzo, the reigning Tewaaraton Award winner. They, along with a majority of Ortega's teammates and opponents, were bigger than her. But through the bumps and bruises, her game evolved.
"It just made me not play my age and have to play more mature and more skilled," she said. "It made me work harder because I didn't want to just be known as, 'Oh, I'm just a young seventh grader playing.' I wanted to have a bigger role than that."
It helped, Ortega said, that she played with her older sister, Nikki, currently a senior at Notre Dame. Also a six-year starter at Middle Country, Nikki tallied a staggering 556 career points. But Ortega's numbers proved to be even gaudier. She finished her high school career with 588 points (402 goals and 186 assists), the most in New York state history.
As a high school freshman, Ortega had committed to Carolina, a school that offered an ideal combination of academics and athletics, as well as a different atmosphere than she was accustomed to growing up on Long Island. But she didn't believe she'd start upon her arrival.
Once she realized the opportunity available, though, she took advantage.
Jenny Levy showed confidence in Ortega from the start. Not only did she insert the freshman into the starting lineup, but Levy also trusted her in late-game situations. None was more notable than the Maryland game, when Ortega drew a double-team before dishing the ball to McCool for the game-winning goal in overtime.
In her first 10 games, Ortega averaged 2.9 points. But beginning with a six-point performance against Nikki and the Fighting Irish in late March, she became even more effective.
"I just realized I had a bigger role than just being a freshman. …" she said. "I felt more confident throughout the season, and I think that showed. I think my teammates had more confidence in me, too. I felt like, 'OK, they trust me with the ball. I can go to goal, I can do this. I can have a bigger role than what I originally had at the beginning of the year.'"
Ortega averaged 5.2 points across the last 11 games of the season. In the regular-season finale against Duke, she scored a career-high seven goals, one shy of the most by a Tar Heel in a single game. She then went on to set an ACC Tournament record with 15 goals and scored 12 in helping UNC reach the NCAA Tournament final four.
By anyone's estimation, she lived up to – and even exceeded – the hype. But entering her sophomore season, which begins Saturday against James Madison, she hopes to accomplish much more.
Over the course of last season, Ortega said she grew as a leader. Acting as one will be even more of a priority as Carolina looks to replace a strong senior class. Among the seniors who the Tar Heels lost are McCool, Ela Hazar and Maggie Bill – three of the team's top six scorers and all of whom earned All-ACC recognition.
UNC does return Katie Hoeg, whose 89 points last season edged Ortega's 86 for the most in school history. The duo showed great chemistry, and they occasionally trained together over the summer in an effort to further solidify that bond.
Usually a wing dodger, Ortega said she's also worked on playing more behind the crease. She's trying to become a positionless player. That'll help, considering the increased defensive attention she'll surely receive.
"I know that they're going to double me; they might even face-guard me," Ortega said. "But I just have to keep elevating my game and keep improving. I can play up top now, I can play at the wing, I can play down low. So, I'm trying to be a very versatile player.
"I know it's going to be hard. But I also feel like at practice I play against one of the best defenses in college lacrosse, and I personally don't think anyone will be as good as them."
Even then, some nervousness still exits.
More than anything, Ortega said she wants to make everyone – her parents, her friends, her teammates and her coaches – proud. She also strives to inspire the girls who come and watch her and her teammates' games. She plays for them. And she always will, no matter how heavy the weight of expectations might feel.
"Everyone gets nervous, but if you just work through it, I think that's what kind of sets you apart," Ortega said. "I always try to set myself apart from other players, and I think I've been doing a decent job at that. But I'm not done yet."
Nor will she be, not until her standard can no longer be raised.
Â
When she was in the middle of it, one of the best seasons not only by a freshman, but by any player in North Carolina women's lacrosse history, Jamie Ortega seemed unfazed.
Her confidence, often described by Marie McCool as that of an upperclassman than someone a year removed from high school, never wavered. No moment, not even an early-season victory over Maryland or any of the Tar Heels' six postseason games, ever appeared too big for her.Â
But everything wasn't always as easy as Ortega made it look in earning ACC and National Freshman of the Year honors and setting UNC freshman records for goals (70) and points (86).
Like any freshman, she said it took her some time to adjust to the increase in competition. She also had to acclimate to new rules, such as the ability to self-start. Nothing was perhaps more challenging, though, than handling the pressure that came with being a two-time US Lacrosse All-American and Inside Lacrosse's No. 1-ranked freshman attacker.
"It was nerve-wracking coming in as a freshman and having all these accolades," Ortega said. "People expect a lot from you, like your parents, your friends, your teammates, your coaches. So, trying to live up to those expectations, it wasn't easy. But I had to work hard and set myself above those standards that people had for me."
Just like she's always done.
From the time she started playing the sport in second grade, Ortega, from Centereach, N.Y., said lacrosse "felt easy." She always desired to have a stick in her hand. So, when her parents told her around fifth or sixth grade that she needed to choose between travel soccer or lacrosse, the decision was simple.
By seventh grade, she said she felt like playing in college had become a possibility. It seemed even more feasible when she joined the varsity team at Middle Country High that same year.
Instead of playing girls her age, Ortega faced off against the likes of Shelby Fredericks, Northwestern's all-time leader in draw controls, and Boston College senior Sam Apuzzo, the reigning Tewaaraton Award winner. They, along with a majority of Ortega's teammates and opponents, were bigger than her. But through the bumps and bruises, her game evolved.
"It just made me not play my age and have to play more mature and more skilled," she said. "It made me work harder because I didn't want to just be known as, 'Oh, I'm just a young seventh grader playing.' I wanted to have a bigger role than that."
It helped, Ortega said, that she played with her older sister, Nikki, currently a senior at Notre Dame. Also a six-year starter at Middle Country, Nikki tallied a staggering 556 career points. But Ortega's numbers proved to be even gaudier. She finished her high school career with 588 points (402 goals and 186 assists), the most in New York state history.
As a high school freshman, Ortega had committed to Carolina, a school that offered an ideal combination of academics and athletics, as well as a different atmosphere than she was accustomed to growing up on Long Island. But she didn't believe she'd start upon her arrival.
Once she realized the opportunity available, though, she took advantage.
Jenny Levy showed confidence in Ortega from the start. Not only did she insert the freshman into the starting lineup, but Levy also trusted her in late-game situations. None was more notable than the Maryland game, when Ortega drew a double-team before dishing the ball to McCool for the game-winning goal in overtime.
In her first 10 games, Ortega averaged 2.9 points. But beginning with a six-point performance against Nikki and the Fighting Irish in late March, she became even more effective.
"I just realized I had a bigger role than just being a freshman. …" she said. "I felt more confident throughout the season, and I think that showed. I think my teammates had more confidence in me, too. I felt like, 'OK, they trust me with the ball. I can go to goal, I can do this. I can have a bigger role than what I originally had at the beginning of the year.'"
Ortega averaged 5.2 points across the last 11 games of the season. In the regular-season finale against Duke, she scored a career-high seven goals, one shy of the most by a Tar Heel in a single game. She then went on to set an ACC Tournament record with 15 goals and scored 12 in helping UNC reach the NCAA Tournament final four.
By anyone's estimation, she lived up to – and even exceeded – the hype. But entering her sophomore season, which begins Saturday against James Madison, she hopes to accomplish much more.
Over the course of last season, Ortega said she grew as a leader. Acting as one will be even more of a priority as Carolina looks to replace a strong senior class. Among the seniors who the Tar Heels lost are McCool, Ela Hazar and Maggie Bill – three of the team's top six scorers and all of whom earned All-ACC recognition.
UNC does return Katie Hoeg, whose 89 points last season edged Ortega's 86 for the most in school history. The duo showed great chemistry, and they occasionally trained together over the summer in an effort to further solidify that bond.
Usually a wing dodger, Ortega said she's also worked on playing more behind the crease. She's trying to become a positionless player. That'll help, considering the increased defensive attention she'll surely receive.
"I know that they're going to double me; they might even face-guard me," Ortega said. "But I just have to keep elevating my game and keep improving. I can play up top now, I can play at the wing, I can play down low. So, I'm trying to be a very versatile player.
"I know it's going to be hard. But I also feel like at practice I play against one of the best defenses in college lacrosse, and I personally don't think anyone will be as good as them."
Even then, some nervousness still exits.
More than anything, Ortega said she wants to make everyone – her parents, her friends, her teammates and her coaches – proud. She also strives to inspire the girls who come and watch her and her teammates' games. She plays for them. And she always will, no matter how heavy the weight of expectations might feel.
"Everyone gets nervous, but if you just work through it, I think that's what kind of sets you apart," Ortega said. "I always try to set myself apart from other players, and I think I've been doing a decent job at that. But I'm not done yet."
Nor will she be, not until her standard can no longer be raised.
Â
Players Mentioned
Attacker/Midfielder
/ Women's Lacrosse
Attacker
/ Women's Lacrosse
Midfielder
/ Women's Lacrosse
Attacker
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