By game time the weather had turned cold and gray. What visiting Tiffin lacked in roster size, they made up for in toughness. The final score was 16-6, but it was not until later in the second half, that the Lakers put the game out of reach. It was another day of impressive ball movement, both in transition and in the offensive end. Mercyhurst had six different players find the back of the net and eight of their goals were assisted. The riding and clearing was excellent and they dominated the draw controls. Throw in a stingy defense, and you have the recipe for a convincing Laker victory!

The Lady Lakers bolted from Tullio Field to revive a tradition. After every home victory, the team gathers around and rings the bell! It is a great moment for the players, their families and their friends! I am hoping to see them do it a lot more this season.

After the Bell Ringing, everyone heads to the Student Union for another impressive indoor tailgate! The great food is topped only by the warm and fuzzy, family feeling that hangs in the air. It begins to snow as the festivities wind down. With a major snowstorm forecast to hit Long Island and bad weather in between, I decide to stay in Diana’s apartment again. For once, I am not racing out of Erie. I thoroughly enjoy being able to visit with players and their families, and we are among the last to leave.

Back at the apartment, Diana, Spencer and I sit around and recap the many positives of the game, before we walk over to “The Stone” for dinner. We are a few minutes ahead of the other Lakers from Long Island and their families. The Murphys and the Boettchers also, decided to stay an extra night and head back in the morning. It was really nice to spend some time chatting, before we walk back.

Monday morning there is two or three inches of very fluffy snow on the ground and it is 10 degrees! I have a little breakfast and coffee and say goodbye to Diana (Spencer was still asleep), and thank her for putting me up (or should I say, putting up with me!). I tell her what a great weekend I had and that this was exactly the kind of experience, I was hoping to have, when I began this little adventure.

On the ride home, I get reflective, if not melancholy. I am fully enjoying this Lax Odyssey, but I am becoming ever more aware of the inevitable. I think of Diana and her classmates, on this their last ride as Lakers! Enjoy every minute ladies, make some memories!