Between neuroscience labs, chemistry exams, MCAT preparation, tutoring, soccer and lacrosse, junior goalkeeper Kate Frost stays busy. Frost has played a crucial role for the Yeowomen soccer team since arriving on campus in August of 2011, seeing time in all 19 games and netting 134 saves her freshman year.
 
Frost continued to impress her sophomore season, recording a .765 save percentage, one of the highest in the conference. In addition to her stellar performance on the soccer field, Frost picked up lacrosse as a freshman, having never played prior to the first day of preseason. Because of her athleticism and speed, she easily learned the sport, and became a key component of the Yeowomen defense.
 
While Frost puts a lot of time and effort into athletics, she puts even more work into her academics. Frost is a neuroscience major with a chemistry minor and is on the pre-medical track.
 
"Before Oberlin I kind of had an idea that I wanted to study neuroscience, and then when I got here I took an introductory neuroscience class and knew that I wanted to pursue neuroscience as my major. The neuroscience department at Oberlin is really incredible," she said.
 
Frost is clearly passionate about the brain and the science behind it. Last winter term Frost worked with an Oberlin alumnus in a lab where she studied monkeys and their eye movement. This project was an opportunity for Frost to see what type of route she wanted to pursue after Oberlin.
 
"I wanted to see the research side of neuroscience," she commented. "It was really interesting, but I think that as a career I would like to pursue being a neuro-surgeon or neurologist. The brain fascinates me because such small changes can have drastic effects. Your brain controls so much that every part is important. I want to be able to understand neurological disorders, and improve the quality of life of those who suffer from them."
 
Outside of the classroom, Frost does a lot of work for the biology and chemistry departments. Last year she was a biology 100 OWLS leader and a chemistry 102 lab TA. Because of her impressive work last year, Frost was asked to be an OWLS leader for chemistry 101 this year.
 
"I was approached by professors at Oberlin and I thought that it would be a valuable experience. When I was in these classes I went to OWLS sessions regularly. Now I have the opportunity to help students the way I was helped. It is really rewarding when a student comes in completely confused about a subject and they leave mastering it. Its why I keep leading the sessions."
 
While science remains as a primary focus for Frost, this past summer, she decided to pursue something outside of the sciences, and travel to Tanzania with fellow teammate, Tricia Souza. Frost spent the summer exploring Tanzania and working with kids who were having trouble in school.
 
"We stayed at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro and got to wake up every morning and see this amazing mountain. It was awesome. For the first week, I worked with high school students on their math, English and geography. I spent the next three weeks working with three year olds on their alphabet, numbers and shapes. It was a really eye-opening experience and I am so glad I had the opportunity to go on the trip."
 
Although academics are a primary focus at Oberlin, athletics have always been number two.
 
"I couldn't imagine not playing a sport year round," said Frost, "I have played a sport year round for so long that it has become a part of me. I find that having a sport helps me with time management. Practice is my break from work and helps me focus when I do sit down to actually do my work at night."
 
Frost is clearly passionate about athletics, as she returned this fall as the starting goalkeeper for the Yeowomen. Although the Yeowomen have not had the desired results, Frost has been a force to be reckoned with in the goal, netting 53 saves for the season.
 
"While our results have not been what we wanted, I think our season is going infinitely better than last year. Although we are not necessarily winning every game we are playing much better and playing like a cohesive unit. It is a much more enjoyable and positive experience and the team is great. New head coach Dan Palmer is an excellent coach, and I think that he and Mike (Cracas) complement each other really well," she said.
 
The Yeowomen enter the final week of the season with a home game on Tuesday night against Denison before ending the season on Saturday at Kenyon College.
 
"It would be great to win these final two games, but even if we don't, I expect us to continue to play well, compete and not give up. I think these last few games will set the tone for the new era of Oberlin women's soccer."