t’s the oldest sport in the world, a war-training activity in which anywhere from 100 to 1,000 men would run across 500-yard fields in daylong games.
Today the game is tamer – but only slightly – and played by both genders.
Watching the Women’s Lacrosse Team at Guilford College play for an hour, sprinting up and down the field, carrying the ball in the peculiar baskets that make lacrosse sticks distinctive, you get a sense of the incredible stamina the early players must have had. These women can kick your ass.
“I have a lot of respect for anyone who puts themselves out there like that,” said first-year Inslee Hackett, the team statistician.
It’s hard to decide which adjectives best describe the game today. The constant motion – of the ball, of the players, of the crowd – make it hard to pick just one verb to describe all the action.
It’s easier to describe how the players feel about their efforts thus far, halfway through the season: Driven.
“We had a few key injuries … that have set us back, but the team is pulling together and readjusting,” said head coach Tara Caminiti-Raggett.
Sickness and injury have prevented full team practices in recent weeks. Despite the handicap, the Women’s Lacrosse Team has a solid record this season thus far.
“Once our team gets more comfortable with each other, we will work better as a team,” junior attacker Sarah Routhier said. “Everyone has skill, it’s just a matter of utilizing it.”
The season opener against Limestone on Feb. 26 was cancelled because of inclement weather. The team has since played in six games, three of them conference (ODAC) games.
On March 19, the Women’s Lacrosse Team played Sweet Briar at home. Despite a 7 – 5 loss, players remain upbeat about the remainder of the season.
Senior goalie Brandi Rhoads was a key player in the game with eight saves. Routhier scored Guilford’s first goal and had one more goal and an assist during the game. Lily Montgomery also made two goals, and sophomore Moira Foley had one goal and an assist.
“The game was so evenly matched that it became about the team that made the least amount of mistakes,” said Caminiti-Raggett. “That ended up being Sweet Briar. Our ladies played a hard fought, competitive game, and should be proud. If they continue to play like that they will see a lot of success for the remainder of the season.”
The women’s lacrosse team is currently 1 – 4 (0 – 3 ODAC). The next match will be March 26 at 4 p.m. against Bridgewater (1 – 4 overall, 1 – 3 ODAC), and the next home game will be March 31 at 4 p.m. against Queens College.