From the crease at Nease High School to the pages of Sports Illustrated, junior goalie Austin Azotea is chasing his biggest save yet.
The three-year varsity starter is a quarterfinalist in the magazine’s national Student Athlete of the Year competition — a spotlight that comes with a $25,000 scholarship and a feature in a Sports Illustrated campaign with 3Brand.
“It’s important to me because my favorite sport is lacrosse, and I’ve been playing ever since I was little,” Azotea told The Citizen. “And I can use lacrosse as something to raise money for the two foundations that go with the award, the V Foundation and the Why Not You Foundation. One is cancer research, and the other one is to put underprivileged children in school and give them meals.”
The contest, which began July 27, whittles the field round by round. Azotea is one of 10 athletes left in his bracket, with top vote-getters advancing to the semifinals. Voting in this stage closes September 18.
On the field, Azotea is no stranger to high-stakes moments. Goalies are asked to be fearless — standing inches from shooters rifling 90-mile-an-hour shots at them from all angles.
Azotea has embraced the role since day one. As a freshman, he not only made varsity but started, anchoring a defense that carried the Panthers to the Elite Eight.
“I appreciate the pressure,” he said. “Being a goalie makes me a leader on and off the field. It’s helped me become a better version of myself.”
That mindset has been shaped by his older brother, Zachary, who now plays Division II lacrosse at Florida Southern while also balancing ROTC and a nursing program.
“Last year we had a very good team,” Austin said. “We graduated seniors that went to play Division II lacrosse at Florida Southern, one being my brother.”
The drive runs through the entire Azotea household, which treats sports less like a casual recreation and more like a playbook for life.
.Austin’s mother, Mia, works as a behavioral specialist with the St. Johns County School District. His father is an attorney who also coaches youth football.
Both were collegiate athletes in Pennsylvania — she in field hockey, he in football — and passed that competitive spark down to their sons. The youngest Azotea plays both football and lacrosse at Palm Valley Academy.
“We don’t really take many vacations — they’re all based around lacrosse teams or soccer or football,” Mia said with a laugh. “That’s really how we spend most of our time together.”
Austin, she said, picked up a stick almost as soon as he could walk. “He was about three when he was brought over to the lacrosse field, and he really hasn’t stopped playing since then.”
Azotea’s long-term goal remains clear: “Scholarship to play Division I lacrosse.,” he said without hesitation.”
But for now, he’s hoping his community will rally behind his campaign and deliver the ultimate assist.
Voting is open through Sept. 18 at www.austinazotea.com.
