Not having the starting goalie job for North Springs lacrosse as a freshman only pushed Mick Baker harder to claim it.

Since then, he’s used any disappointment as motivation to lead him to one of the nation’s highest save totals as a junior, and a highly coveted recruit now as a senior.

Baker was recognized on ESPN’s 2012 lacrosse preview page for saving 221 shots on goal, eighth-highest in the country, in 14 games last year. He saved 200 as a sophomore and 162 as a freshman after starting for the Walton junior lacrosse team as an eighth-grader.

“Not having that starting position after having it in eighth grade really pushed me to have that position so I could play more,” Baker said. “Usually about one game or so every season, for whatever reason, I might have an [off night] the game before, and I won’t start that next game. From that I’ll come back, and then I’d have great games coming back.”

Now, by his count, 16 colleges are interested in his services as a wall at the net.

“Preparation is everything,” Baker said. “I think that what you put in off the field and on the field during practice, if you’re all-around where you need to be, it really shows itself.”