“This year the team is small and young,” said senior midfielder Marina Bailey. “We have a lot of potential. Our biggest strength as a team is communication.
“Everyone’s voice on our team is heard and encouraged.”
The Guilford College women’s lacrosse team has long awaited the start for the 2016 spring season.
While the team has the talent to compete at the top of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, there are a few obstacles they know they must overcome.
With such a small team, it will take ample work for these women to compete at their best this season.
“We have a lot of potential, but right now we aren’t there yet,” said senior midfielder Summer Fowler. “It’s going to take some time for us to get there, but we are working very hard to get where we need to be.”
The team is not only small but also has many new faces.
“We have six newcomers on the team,” said head coach Sarah Lamphier. “Though our current record isn’t what we want, I think our team shows a lot of promise.
“Our weakness is our mental confidence.”
At the moment, the team is not off to the start they were hoping for, but with a game versus Muskingum University on Monday, March 7, the team will have another opportunity to test their hard work.
“I personally am working on playing my hardest 100 percent of the time and being able to remain resilient,” said Bailey.
The team has plenty of games lined up throughout the spring. Each player interviewed mentioned both potential as a team and the drive to do well in the ODAC.
With both of those goals in common, the team could be capable of doing anything.
“Our number one goal is to make it to the ODAC tournament,” said Fowler. “From there, our possibilities are endless, and we give it everything we have. When a team makes it to the tournament, the season record does not matter anymore. It’s whoever shows up at that game and wants it more.”
The ODAC conference play begins for the Guilford women’s lacrosse team on March 20 versus Bridgewater. The ODAC tournament will begin at the end of regular season play.
“I think our biggest opponent right now is ourselves more than any other team,” said Lamphier.
“If we show up to the game with a lot of energy, fire and confidence willing to work together, it will be our team for sure.”
So are the women ready to compete in this year’s tournament?
“I believe we are a team full of potential,” said Fowler. “I do not believe we have reached all of our potential yet.
“I think it is possible to be one of the best teams in the ODAC.”
There are plenty of things for the women to work on before the conference, but there is no lack of enthusiasm. They are ready to compete and eager for wins.
“We were picked eighth in preseason,” said Fowler. “We, as a team, know we are better than eighth.
“It’s going to take everyone’s full effort but believe me when I say this team has the possibility to win the ODAC.”
As for the future of the Guilford College women’s lacrosse team, there is clearly potential ready to be unveiled.
“The Guilford College women’s lacrosse team has come a long way,” said Bailey. “I am proud of my team, and we are warriors. We need to constantly understand that each and every day comes new learning experiences that will help us improve our game.”
