On Feb. 2, famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow. So, if you trust the sage groundhog, then put away your winter jackets because we are going to get an early spring. With spring coming early, that means that spring sports are just around the corner. If you live in Founders Residence Hall or the Hackman Apartments, then you can certainly hear the blasting of the music coming from Wolf Field. That is the sound of the 2013 Elizabethtown College lacrosse season. Look out your windows and you’ll see 42 young men and 27 young women running around in the brisk afternoon air practicing in their blue and white. Seeing our Etown warriors sprinting around the field truly signals that spring has sprung.
The women’s lacrosse team is coming back from an amazing 2012 season in which they were 13-6 with a 6-1 home record and a 5-1 Commonwealth Conference record. They also won the Commonwealth Conference Championship. Right now, the Blue Jays are coming back champs with new Head Coach Rob Brooks.
Senior Arielle Harris said of this season, “Right now, I’m most looking forward to our first game. We’ve all worked hard in the preseason, and I think I can speak for everyone when I say we can’t wait to officially get started!”
Coming off their amazing 2012 season, the team is ranked 19th in the nation. “It feels pretty amazing to be ranked 19th in the nation. It’s a great accomplishment and a constant reminder to push ourselves each day because we not only want to stay in the top 20, but get better together and move up on the list,” Harris said.
Of course for any college athlete, senior year is bittersweet. “Looking back, it has been quite the journey and overall, a wonderful experience. Between the friends I’ve made and lessons I’ve learned, playing lacrosse with this great group of girls has given me many memories that I will never forget,” Harris said. “So as for this being my last year, there is definitely a mixture of feelings going on in my mind. I am excited for the season to start, but at the same time, it is upsetting to think that in three months it will all be over. It’s bittersweet.”
Harris also commented on the team’s transition process to playing under Brooks. “Coach by no means had an easy job walking into an already preexisting team. He had to learn the players, how we play as a team, and our strengths and weaknesses, all while focusing on how he can make us a better,” she said. “I would say he is doing well; Coach encourages us to come to him, ask questions, and is extremely dedicated, which is a great thing. He also takes what we have to say and incorporates it into practice, which lets us know he cares and is listening to us.”
With their new coach leading the way, the women’s lacrosse team is ready to defend their Commonwealth Conference Champion title.
For our men’s team, who are always looking for a conference championship, last season left much to be desired. They ended the season with a 7-8 record and with a 2-4 conference record. First-year Zach Nichols is waiting for his turn to put his stamp on the team. Of his transition from high school to college lacrosse, Nichols said, “The practices are a lot faster; the speed of the game is a lot faster.” In comparing Head Coach Terry Corcoran to his high school coach, Nichols said, “They are both great coaches. The only thing is that Coach Corcoran played the game at a high level in college.” He went on to say that he loved playing at his high school, but he is fitting right in on the Jays squad. Hopefully, with Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of an early spring, our lacrosse teams can bring us back a Commonwealth Conference Title.