Farm to Table Setter: Goodale Helps Set Tone for USA Defense

TOKYO — Katie Goodale’s first goat was named Azalea.

You read that correctly. No double take required.

Goodale Farms in Aquebogue, N.Y., was established in the mid-1800s and sits on the main strip of other farms, wineries and pumpkin patches that Long Islanders only refer to as “Out East.”

Long Island is more than just beaches and pizza. Goodale’s friends are often shocked to learn that. They’re even more surprised to learn how she grew up.

This has been the family business for well over 100 years. What started as a potato farm transitioned to a dairy and meat farm around 2009 when her father, Hal, purchased two cows.

Living that life taught Goodale the lessons that carried her to an All-American career as a defender at Syracuse and now to a spot on the U.S. Women’s National Team that will play its first game in the World Lacrosse Women’s Championship later today against Ireland.

“When we were little, we would always go to farmer’s markets with our dad and help sell our products,” Goodale said. “When I was younger, we would go to the New York State Fair with our goats. I learned how to take care of something other than myself.”

Goodale worked hard on the farm. When it was time to harvest, she’d bale hay and load them on the big trailer. She’d feed the animals — goats, cows, sheep, pigs and chickens — and pick zucchini, tomatoes and other produce.

Goodale Farms prides itself on providing quality local food options to its community through humane farming without the use of steroids, antibiotics or growth hormones. Its milk bottles read “Milk the way it’s supposed to be.”

A grocery subscription service that can deliver meat bi-monthly straight to your door is also available as an alternative to shopping at the grocery store.

It takes a lot of work. Living and working on a farm is not a “normal” job. It’s 24-7.

“An animal could be born in the middle of the night,” Goodale said. “You’re always out and on the go, sunup to sundown.”

And because Long Island gets cold in the winter, that sometimes means bringing the animals inside. Goodale has memories of bringing the babies into the house and setting up small pens so they could stay warm.

Her friends used to love coming over to play with them. So do strangers — or as Goodale would call them, customers — at the public petting area.

“She has seen such a different life and a way of growing up,” U.S. midfielder Emma Muchnick said. “She’s just so understanding of different backgrounds. There’s something so humbling about being in that environment when you’re younger.”

Muchnick transferred from Maryland to Syracuse for her sophomore year and spent the 2024 season as Goodale’s teammate. Playing with her two years later for the U.S. team has given them the chance to reconnect.

“We sat in the food court for like an hour and just caught up about our times at Syracuse,” Muchnick said. “From the second I got there, she was an inspiration and role model for me. I just adore her, and I’m so glad I get to do this with her. I always gravitate toward her and her really good energy.”

Goodale isn’t a high-energy personality, but teammates speak glowingly about her calm, cool demeanor. It’s that energy that’s infectious.

She’s also earned the respect of her peers through her style of play. One of four true defenders on the roster alongside Shea Baker, Sam Forrest and Sydney Scales, Goodale is gritty. She does the dirty work.

She asks how to improve and how she can help the team. Most of all, she’s humble — kind of what you’d expect from someone who’s spent her life working as hard as she has.

“Katie just does all the intangible stuff out there,” U.S. defensive coordinator Melissa Lehman said. “She’s one of the grittiest players, and she just really excels in so many ways in that off-ball role. I absolutely love coaching her.”

The USA defense will be critical to the two metrics head coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein cares most about — goals allowed and margin of victory. More than just the true defenders will take part in satisfying the coaching staff in terms of those numbers, but Goodale’s abilities will allow her to shine on a unit that’s capable of making stops and flinging the ball up field for transition chances.

She made a habit of eliminating chances for offenses at Syracuse, where she set the single-season (45) and career (102) caused turnover records. For the New York Charging of the Women’s Lacrosse League, Goodale has four ground balls and three caused turnovers this season.

“She just has a knack for making great, momentum-changing plays,” Lehman said.

While other teams will be doing their best to farm highlight-reel goals against the U.S., Goodale and Co. will do everything they can to spoil their harvest. Goodale Farms aims to deliver “farm fresh foods, right to your door.” Katie Goodale aims to deliver a 10th gold medal for the U.S. Women’s National Team over the course next 10 days.