NET GAIN: Mira Shane guards the net this spring during her freshman season with University of Michigan women’s lacrosse team. The former Princeton High standout produced a solid debut campaign, playing in 17 games with four starts and posting a goals against average of 8.99 with 67 saves. (Photo Courtesy of University of Michigan Athletics Communications)

Initially, Mira Shane focused on Ivy League schools as she looked at college women’s lacrosse programs.

The Princeton High standout goalie sensed that an Ivy League environment would be a natural extension of her upbringing.

But as the recruiting process unfolded, she concluded that the University of Michigan was the right place for her.

“It was really important for me to find the place that was almost like a doppelgänger or a clone of Princeton in the sense that there was a real town; that it wasn’t necessarily this large city where I would feel uncomfortable walking at night or in the middle of nowhere,” said Shane, a 2015 PHS grad who earned All-Conference and All-American honors during her career with the Little Tigers.

“I went out there for four visits. I went twice in the summer time, I went to a camp, and I went there in the winter as well. You need to experience a Michigan winter so I had to trudge on out there. I really just fell in love with the place where my dad had lived for 10 years. My grandfather went there, I had a legacy.”

But in deciding to commit to Michigan, Shane realized she was also embracing discomfort in joining the fledgling program which didn’t start varsity action until 2014.

“The coach (Jennifer Ulehla) was somebody who really drew me in, she said one of the main points was to get comfortable here being in your un-comfort zone,” said Shane.

“She said I am recruiting people who are willing to do that and to buy into a program where you are going to take some beatings. We are in a really, really challenging conference (the Big Ten) with one of the top power rankings in the nation so to hang with that is something really special.”

While Shane took some lumps as she competed with three other goalies for playing time, she ended up enjoying a solid campaign, playing in 17 games with four starts and posting a goals against average of 8.99 with 67 saves.

“I try to be practical as much as possible; it was really nice to experience that as a freshman,” said the 5’5” Shane.

“The day that I committed I thought I am not going to play right away; I am going to work hard for two years because there is a junior ahead of me. The playing time was something I am honestly very thankful for because I never had imagined doing that. I still can’t even believe that it happened. The hard work really paid off.”

Shane started paying her dues during the team’s fall ball sessions. “I knew it was going to be hard because I am a homebody,” said Shane, noting that the Michigan took part in three tournaments in the fall to get as much experience as possible before starting regular season play in the spring.

“To separate from home, coming from a great place, a great family, great friends and a great high school, it was going to be a transition. I just kind of put my head down and put my heart up. It is just grinding.”

Making progress, Shane earned the start in the opener against Central Michigan in early February and proceeded to make history, coming up with seven saves and not allowing a goal in 53 minutes of action in a 14-1 win on the way to being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week.

“The starters weren’t announced until five minutes before the game in the team room in our indoor facility,” recalled Shane.

“I am just blessed to play the beautiful game of lacrosse and that day was really great for me. I am this little freshman and had no idea that they gave weekly awards or anything and then to get two of them for the first time in program history was something that was really special for me to experience. I am so thankful for my teammates and everyone that has supported me along the way.”

Over the rest of the season, Shane split time with junior Allison Silber, making a career-best nine saves against No. 7 Florida on February 13 and No. 13 Northwestern on April 7.

Reflecting on her development, Shane felt she got up to speed at the college level.

“Our head coach worked with me a lot on watching the ball, that is the main transition I would say going from a high school goalie to a collegiate goalie, the speed is crazy fast,” noted Shane.

“You have a lot of talented shooters. It is just seeing it, first of all. Fall ball was more finding the ball and envisioning it. Coach would say envision the ball as this beach ball, something big. When the season started rolling around six months or so later, then it is getting your hand speed quicker.”

Having been a four-year starter at PHS, not playing every minute was a character builder for Shane.

“I had to make a transition of just being patient as a person and as a player,” said Shane.

“And then waiting for that explosion when it is your turn to shine and make that big save and come with a big one for your team, that is the least you can do.”

While the Michigan team struggled, going 6-12 overall and 0-5 Big Ten, Shane believes it is laying the foundation for something special.

“It is a little challenging to keep on trucking but we did it and got through it,” said Shane.

“All we have to do is keep buying in, keep the energy and the positivity up. I really believe we can do that.”

Off the field, Shane thrived in the high-energy atmosphere at Michigan, which has more that 28,000 undergraduates and offers a slew of activities.

“I would say overall my Michigan experience was really, really just solid,” said Shane, who is planning to be a psychology major with a music minor.

“Academically and socially, it went pretty well for me. I am in an a cappella singing group just like I was in high school, 58 Green. It is Michigan’s multi cultural a cappella group. I am doing a lot of vocal percussion for the group. The classes are really amazing. It is a big school but you make it small. It is what you make of it; so if you open up to people and really just try to find where your niches are, your strengths and your passions, you will be set.”

This summer, Shane is working hard to become stronger and faster for her sophomore season.

“It alternates, it is a lot of snatches and barbell lifting so it is Olympic strength training in the weight room, which is really cool, and a lot of sprint training,” said Shane, who is coaching a team this summer with the Ultimate Lacrosse club program where she cut her teeth as a high schooler.

“Right now it is about getting faster and then bulking up and toning that muscle so you can be ready for fall ball.”

While Shane is proud of her roots, she is looking forward to continuing her growth process in Ann Arbor.

“I am always missing Princeton but it is good for me to be out there and I am definitely very, very excited to get back to my grind and and spend time with my teammates, coaches, singing, lacrosse, and working towards a championship,” said Shane.

“It was an awesome year. I am thankful about where I came from and now I am looking at what to do with the rest of my life in lacrosse and beyond.”