TOWSON, Md. – Being a student athlete for a Division I sport can prove to be a challenge. They deal with school schedules and those demands, in addition to practice, travel and games in their sport.

Imagine being a student-athlete playing two sports for a Division I program and the image is pretty clear as to what Katie DeFilippo went through during the 2011-12 school year.

DeFilippo was a first team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection for the Tiger field hockey team as a senior in the fall. She started all 20 games and scored six goals with five assists. In the spring, DeFilippo picked up a stick and joined the Tiger women’s lacrosse squad. She appeared in 11 games and scored a goal against Temple while helping the Tigers capture a CAA title and advance to the NCAA Tournament.

TowsonTigers.com recently caught up with DeFilippo to find out her thoughts on a hectic 2011-12 year.

1. After a busy and exciting fall with field hockey, what made you want to play lacrosse this spring?

In college, I did not have a lot of time outside of field hockey to play any of the other sports that I played back in high school. I love lacrosse and missed playing, so I am extremely lucky and grateful that Coach LaMonica gave me the opportunity to play again at a collegiate level.

2. How challening was it to play two different sports in high school compared to college?

Playing two sports in high school does not even compare to playing even one sport in college. The amount of dedication and time put into a sport in college is nothing that anyone understands unless they are doing it themselves. Your team in college becomes your family away from home, and really pushes you to be the best athlete you can be.

3. In field hockey you were counted on to be one of the main contributors and starters where as in lacrosse, you filled a role off the bench. Was it tough to make the adjustment?

It wasn’t tough to make the adjustment of not starting in lacrosse. Lacrosse is a team sport, and the best people deserve to be out on the field to get the job done. Every person on the team has their own role, and the people on the sideline are just as important in making sure that your team comes out with a win at the end of the game.

4. What did you like best about playing field hockey at Towson and what's your favorite memory from field hockey?

What I liked most about playing field hockey at Towson was the team and going through all of the ups and downs together as a team. My favorite memory from field hockey was beating Hofstra and Northeastern my senior year to make it to the CAA playoffs.

5. In lacrosse, you were used for speed to get to the draw controls. Did you take pride contributing in that role?

I was happy to contribute in lacrosse any way that I could. Any way that I could help out, I made sure that I did it to the best of my ability every time.

6. What's the biggest thing you learned from lacrosse this year and what do you hope to contribute coming back for one more year of lacrosse?

The biggest thing I learned from lacrosse this year is hard work pays off and a strong sense of team unity. Everyone on the team really gives it their all at practices, and the team really sticks together and works well with each other to have a successful season year after year. Coming back next year, I hope to contribute in any way that I can in order for the team to have an even more successful season then we did this year.