April 11, 2008 11:45 AM
Sticking It to the Competition
With expectations riding high and a very new team taking the field,
Mercersburg’s women’s varsity lacrosse 2008 season started off with
more than a few doubts. However, the girls swept those away with a 22–1
win against Central Dauphin East and a 20–2 win against Lancaster
Country Day School. As the girls adjusted to each other and some rather
chilly weather, one thing became clear: this team could put numbers on
the scoreboard and balls in the net.
With expectations riding high and a very new team taking the field, Mercersburg’s women’s varsity lacrosse 2008 season started off with more than a few doubts. However, the girls swept those away with a 22–1 win against Central Dauphin East and a 20–2 win against Lancaster Country Day School. As the girls adjusted to each other and some rather chilly weather, one thing became clear: this team could put numbers on the scoreboard and balls in the net.
Perhaps one of the most exciting games ever to be played on our field up on that hill—the April 5 match against Lawrenceville— saw the team with a lot of intensity and an overpowering desire to win. Lawrenceville put the first number on the scoreboard, but the girls answered back with three goals, and we put the last number up—a 7, a clear victory over Lawrenceville’s 5—that had Sheaffer on his knees, Bacon with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, the girls screaming in a huddle, and the crowd with fists in the air. The girls had overcome their first MAPL test, and proved to themselves and the rest of the Mercersburg community that this year, the varsity women’s lax team is seriously legit.
On Tuesday, April 8, a pumped group of girls made the traffic-jam filled ride to Cumberland Valley in two packed vans—very reminiscent of Hilton Head. With only two minutes to warm up upon arrival, an unsure team started the game. Any worries vanished as the team smoothly fell into their routine of fast breaks, strong rides and doubles, and constant answers to every opponent goal with two or three of our own. It also became clear within the first few minutes of the game that this was going to be a dirty, mean 50 minutes of play. After a lot of bumps, trips, pushes, scrapes, and vicious checks, Mercersburg still emerged from the rabble with 18 goals, a six-goal victory over CV. Within the last 30 seconds of the game, captain and center Mary Lancaster sprained her ankle due to more unfortunate scrappiness, and the two weeks until her return will be a long wait. The team, however, is up for the challenge, and no doubt each player will take it to a new level to accommodate this unforeseen setback. What hurts us will only make us stronger.
Hill is this Saturday, and only four words come to mind: they better be ready. This year’s lacrosse team is a tight-knit, fast, and determined group of players—we want that win more than you do, and we will give everything to get numbers up on that scoreboard. Come watch a game; you won’t be disappointed, I promise.
Signing off with a very dented shaft due to a very ferocious check on CV’s part,
--Anika Kempe, #31
Posted by Lee at April 11, 2008 11:45 AM