My First Experience on a College Lacrosse Team
By: Samantha Fagone
In early spring during my senior year I remember panicking because I had eight acceptance letters yet and no idea as to where I wanted to go. So one night my mom sat me down and said “During your college visits, you’re going to step onto one of the campuses and just know it’s where you belong.” At the time, I thought it was just a ploy my mom was using to get me to calm down, and then I came to Randolph College. I just knew this school was for me, and after moving in and completing orientation, I realized I was right about my choice.
After about a week however, I became extremely homesick and I wanted to jump onto the nearest train headed for New York. I can honestly say I never thought this would be a problem since I was so sure I was ready to leave home. Yet I found myself becoming upset over not being with my family and wishing that I was back on Long Island. Thankfully, I had my new friends as well as my team and Coach to help me through my breakdowns. On the lacrosse team we’re each assigned a “Big” to help us with problems that we may be having and I’m truly lucky to have Samie Maggard as mine. Not only has she been an amazing friend but someone I can turn to about anything and know she’ll help me through it.
Once fall ball started, I found myself forgetting about missing home and pushed myself harder each day. I was so surprised each Monday and Friday when Coach told me I beat my mile as well as my 2.5 mile time and the bond within the team grew. Our drills and plays began to look better and we found ourselves becoming more comfortable around one another on and off the field. I remember being so nervous that I would "screw up" since I was a freshman as well as the only goalie on the team, I even apologized once for saving the ball! I noticed though that my teammates were always encouraging whilst working hard individually to help make the team stronger as a whole.
After a month, we had our first tournament against three other teams and I could tell that we were all anxious as well as nervous. It’s hard coming onto a team that you’ve never played with before, especially when you’re so used to your one from high school. But we had so much fun and played really well together against all odds. Afterwards, it seemed that everyone was excited for season to start so we could really show other schools what were made of.
These past few months have been a life changing experience for me, and I guess my mom was right. I’ve found where I belong.
