Vanderbilt
Lacrosse
2001 Fall Summary
"If
it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger". That is the
saying that many people have heard over and over again,
but to the Vanderbilt Women's 2000-2001 Lacrosse Team, it
was a reality. We ended last year's season on a positive
note with a win, but after our adverse season we knew this
year's team needed to be different. With determination,
discipline, unity and talent the 2001-2002 lacrosse team
is much different, although it only has three new faces.
This team is strong from seniors to freshmen. There is so
much more experience and determination. This was proven
throughout our successful fall season.
The
fall started with a team bonding camping and white-water
rafting trip planned by our coaches. We all arrived at a
camp sight near the Okoee River on Friday night. Some of
us arrived more promptly then others! There were the typical
girl camping activities of gossiping, smore-making, and
a team favorite, Mafia. Then it was off to our spacious
tents for a good night's sleep. We hopped in our rafts the
next morning, bright and early and had a great day. We got
started off on the right foot, together!
We
kicked off the fall season with practices in early September.
We practiced very well as a team. In the midst of the tragedy
in America, we tried to stay positive and support each other.
As a team, we even donated blood to the Red Cross to do
our small part to help out. The team again showed its strength
as a unit.
In
October it was finally, time to play! We headed to Hofstra
to play two games against Wagner and Hofstra. We were a
little nervous at first, but as we started to loosen up,
we had some great plays on both the defensive and offensive
sides of the field. Ashley Bastinelli, our freshman goalie,
played as if she were a senior. She was blocking shots left
and right and handling the ball extremely well. She was
getting much help from Bridget Morris, Joanna Mooney, Tara
Schmucker, Becca Ferrell, Lindsay Nauman and Megan Lewis
who all played excellent defense. The midfield was also
transitioning well, something we struggled with in the past.
This year's team is extremely fast with Erin Flaherty, Jeannie
Crawley and Kinsey Osberg all providing speed in the midfield.
Once loosened up the offense was passing and scoring. Assisted
goals have been a rarity for our past teams but this year
they seem to define our offense. Colleen Morris, Jess Roguski,
Jess Mundt, Mary McCeney, and Liz Drennan all had great
assists and goals in our trip to New York. We beat both
Hofstra and Wagner, with a few minor mistakes, but great
overall play for our first time together as a team.
We
worked the kinks out in practice and before we knew it,
it was the end of October and time to start wrapping up
our fall season. It was hard to believe it had come to an
end. We had a Halloween pumpkin carving party before departing
for our last tournament in Maryland. Ashley Bastinelli,
Jess Roguski, Jess Mundt, and Erin Flaherty all carved some
great pumpkins, but in the end, Liz Drennan's took the prize.
With our Halloween party behind us, we arrived in Maryland
and had a wonderful dinner at the Morris' house. Everyone's
parents were there and it was another great bonding experience.
The
next day we stepped onto the turf at Loyola and we were
ready to play. We played very well in the first games, but
had some lapses in the middle games. We got it back together
after an inspiring speech by Cathy and proved that this
is a new stronger team that will bounce back to win games.
We had great play from everyone that day. Our talented freshmen,
Kate Jerde and Meg Spies, both played very well with great
moves and goals. As a team, we really showed that we have
depth by substituting everyone in and out the whole day.
Christiana Serle and Jenny Wing contributed on both ends
of the field. Liz Exline stepped up to prove she is a solid
goalie with great reaction time and clearing ability. Everyone
is looking forward to the season where we can continue to
show our great character and depth.
Coming
off a rough year, our team seems to have acquired the confidence
and experience, which was lacking in the spring of 2001.
From the onset, our team had a good balance of athletic
talent and personality. Vanderbilt lacrosse has a new focus
this year. A more experienced defense, as well as a new
offensive game plan helped us to emerge as a much improved
team this fall. The difference from last year to this year
is definitely the experience and knowledge gained from last
season. Where as last year we competed against the past
and ourselves, this year we are competing for the future.
Nothing has killed this team, we are only stronger……
Written
by our Captains:
Megan
Lewis
Tara Schmucker
Kinsey Osberg
