Aidyn Tlusty has been going top shelf on lacrosse goals since the third grade.

“I got into it really quick,” Tlusty said. “I joined all the clubs that I could, and I got into all the stick skill programs, and I play all year round.”

The team bonding and the joy of scoring goals is what made the Shenendehowa sophomore fall in love with the sport. It drives her to get better every day.

“A lot of discipline and hard work, and continuing to play year-round,” she said.

That hard work is paying off. In June, Tlusty is heading to the European Women's Lacrosse Championships, selected by StudentathleteWorld to represent the U.S.

“It sounded so fun, especially traveling to a different country,” Tlusty said. “I have a lot of inheritance in Europe, so knowing that I could go over there and play and represent [the] USA is really fun.”

StudentathleteWorld is an organization that picks high school and college athletes from across the country to serve as ambassadors in international sports competition. Tlusty earned the opportunity based on athletics, academics and character.

“I was really excited, and I really enjoyed how I saw it all come together,” she said.

Over the next several months, she plans on focusing on her shot selection and stick skills with her club and high school teams to prepare for the tournament in Spain and Portugal.

“Just telling myself that it’s the same game I’ve been playing for seven years. Next year it will be eight years,” Tlusty said. “So as long as I focus on myself and focus [on] playing good with my team, then I’ll be great.”