Wednesday night was cold and wet, not ideal weather for lacrosse, but the weather could not take the excitement out of the atmosphere. The team was definitely amped up to host Pace University, who is ranked 11th in Division II Women’s Lacrosse. That excitement may have gotten the better of us at times, especially early in the game. Early season contests in poor weather are typically sloppy affairs, and this game was no exception.
The Lions fell behind early and were never able to recover. We made far too many mistakes to be able to hang with a team as good as Pace. Despite the score though, our team played with intensity and grit, the entire game. I was proud of their effort and competitiveness. The final score of 19-5, was not indicative of how hard we played, which forced Pace to play hard for the full sixty minutes.
I am confident that our team will not dwell on this game but will take some valuable lessons from it. We should now know, how hard we are capable of playing and need to demand that kind of effort from ourselves every time we step on the field. We cannot let this setback define our season. It will be defined by how we respond to it, though.
As we left the field, I don’t know why, I was surprised that the parents had an impressive Tailgate Party set up. Nothing like some good food, to help put a tough game out of your mind, at least for awhile. As I walked around and enjoyed a slice of pizza, I could really sense the warm and comforting vibes. Tailgate Parties are not just about the food, they are an expression of love and support, which should never be taken for granted.
So, it is “on to the next game.” We are back in action tomorrow, at Southern Connecticut. GO LIONS!
A New Season 