Marie Collop, Campus Carrier Assistant Sports Editor
The Women’s lacrosse team is off to a good start on the season, winning two out of their first three games. The team dropped their first game against Rhodes College, but rallied back and won their two most recent games against Hendrix College and Alma College.
Both sophomore Angelica Miller and senior Claire Rosenberg said that the opening loss to Rhodes helped the team see what they needed to improve on.
“It was a wake-up call to have a loss … but I truly do believe we are doing everything we can to make up for it in our future games,” Miller said. “Each game has given the rookies more experience and allows us to work more as a cohesive unit.”
 |
| Nealie Smith, Staff Photojournalist The women’s lacrosse team defeated Hendrix College , 15-16, on Feb. 21. Sophomore Kelsey Abernathy (above) led the team with four goals and four assists. |
Sophomore Kelsey McAnnally said there are a lot of new players on the team, and they have the job of filling some big shoes from players who graduated last year.
“We’ve improved in each game we’ve played thus far and that’s exciting to see,” McAnnally said.
Head coach Shaun Williamson said he is hoping to keep a win streak going after two good wins.
Williamson said he hopes the team can finish in the top four teams out of the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) conference, and make it to the conference tournament finals. More importantly, he hopes to see the team continue to grow and get better.
“I want to see the girls improve on their creativity and overall lacrosse IQ,” Williamson said.
Rosenberg said that being a senior, she is hoping to have a successful season both individually and as a team.
“We have a lot of talent on our young offense, and I’d love to see us work together and really reach our potential,” Rosenberg said.
Miller said there is more competition up ahead throughout the game schedule and that she is also excited to see individuals step up in to their positions. Her goal for the team is to be conference champions, but like Williamson said, also to play consistently and individually contribute different abilities.
Because of the graduation of players that played different positions, this year some players have been moved to new, unfamiliar positions on the field, like McAnnally.
“We are learning how to play those new positions, and we’ve done surprisingly well,” McAnnally said. “I think we have a good chance of playing for the conference championship and winning.”
Williamson said the five new freshmen he brought in are already stepping up and contributing.
“We have a very balanced team, and I have the ability to play a lot of different players,” Williamson said.
Miller said there isn’t a large gap between those who start games and who stand on the sidelines, so there is a fair amount of subbing throughout the game.
“All (five) freshmen have been contributing to the team as a whole, providing us with a lot of depth and fresh legs,” Miller said.
The team’s next game was scheduled for Saturday against Wittenburg University, but was canceled. The team’s next game is March 4, at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.
