Let the games begin

This past Sunday we scrimmaged Lycoming College…outside. It was extremely cold out, but we definitely needed the practice. Playing another team, no matter their skill level, always helps because when you continuously play against your own teammates, you get accustomed to their playing habits and what they will do. Playing another team also allows all the starters to work together (defense and offense together) instead of against each other. Lycoming gave us the chance to do so. They were not at the same skill or speed level as us, but it was still a good opportunity. Although it was not as challenging as we wanted it to be, I’m glad Gettysburg is not our first scrimmage. Gettysburg made it to the final four for division III and is full of good players. We also play Shippensburg who are in our conference. These will both be difficult games, but I know we have the potential to do great things. This will set the tone for the rest of the season.

On a side note…This Sunday (February 21st) from 7-12 in Thomas Field House our lacrosse team will be hosting our annual Pancake Breakfast. It is $5 for all you can eat pancakes. There are tons of toppings (chocolate chips, bananas, strawberries, blueberries), syrup, coffee and orange juice. There will be plenty to go around! If you want to get a ticket beforehand you can find me! Or you can buy one at the door.

Snow!

The snow has prevented us from being able to practice outside. We have been in East Campus gym which has been a change since we are so use to being outside. In years past we have been inside for all of pre season because of the snow and cold, we were fortunate enough to have a few weeks outside this year. It doesn’t seem like a big deal whether we are inside or outside, but being outside gets us in much better “game shape” then being inside. There is more space and running involved. Hopefully it will stop snowing and the field will be clear soon.

A scrimmage was just scheduled for Saturday at Lycoming College. It will be good to get a scrimmage in before Gettysburg and luckily Lycoming is close by and they plow their fields. Unfortunately we are not allowed to plow our fields because of concerns for protecting the field. It will probably be extremely cold so we have to be prepared for that.

Our practices have been going well and we are definitely improving every day. We have been staying motivated and focused. I just can’t wait until our games start!

Gettysburg

With our first scrimmage less than 3 weeks away, we have been working hard to prepare. The scrimmage is against Gettysburg. Gettysburg is also the host city of the 2010 national championship weekend. Our hopes are to start and end our season in Gettysburg. Throughout the fall our coach would give “missions” where someone on the team had to find a quote of some sort relating to Gettysburg and to our team. One girl read the speech Coach Boone says in Remember the Titans. The quote is:

“This is where they fought the battle of Gettysburg. Fifty thousand men died right here on this field, fighting the same fight that we are still fighting among ourselves today. This green field right here, painted red, bubblin' with the blood of young boys. Smoke and hot lead pouring right through their bodies. Listen to their souls, men. I killed my brother with malice in my heart. Hatred destroyed my family. You listen, and you take a lesson from the dead. If we don't come together right now on this hallowed ground, we too will be destroyed, just like they were. I don't care if you like each other of not, but you will respect each other. And maybe...I don't know, maybe we'll learn to play this game like men.”

As a team you don’t have to like each other but on the field you have to work well and not let things effect you. We’re always told to leave things off the field and for me lacrosse has been a place where I can forget about all my worries. If we want to win a national championship we have to respect each other and fight the battle together.

A Recap

During the 2009 Lock Haven Lacrosse season, we had one goal in mind, to make it to the NCAA Division II final four. All season we would ask ourselves “where do we want to be on May 16th and 17th?” The answer was easy; it was getting there that was harder. We trained with the constant reminder that we wanted to make it to the NCAA final four and show everyone what we were made of. We pushed ourselves and each other from day one because we knew we could make it, we knew it would take that title.
On May 16th, we were there. We had made it to the final four. It was quite the experience just to be there and experience the spotlight. May 16th was the semi finals where we played Limestone University for a spot in the final game. We won by 1 with only seconds left in the game. Knowing we had conquered Limestone after being defeated by them over Spring Break earlier that year, was an amazing feeling. We felt unstoppable.
After making it this far, the only thing left was the championship round against Adelphi University. Unfortunately, we were not ready to go this far. All season we asked each other where we wanted to be and we knew we wanted to get that far, but we did not prepare ourselves for what we would do once we got there. We held Adelphi for the first 15 minutes and then after that they just took it to us. The lack of preparation and nerves mixed together made us not play our game. We could of taken them, but we only thought of getting there, we did not think of the next step…winning it all.
This year, we have the constant reminder of the 2nd place trophy that is sitting in my coach’s office. Knowing we made it as far as we did last year, gives us the confidence to make it there again. We also have the knowledge that getting there is only the beginning, it’s what you do when you are there that really matters.