1st Ever Legacy

Growing up listening to my mother’s stories of her years at Randolph Macon Woman’s College, I always pictured myself attending Randolph, but I never dreamed I could play lacrosse here. Back when my mother attended, sports were not that big of a deal at RMWC – I do not think there was even a lacrosse team! Thankfully, sports have now become a major part of life at Randolph, and Coach Wagner has built a fantastic lacrosse program. I have loved and played lacrosse for seven years, but I had never thought I would actually be able to play in college. To my delight and surprise, Coach Wagner and the team were extremely welcoming and encouraging. I am thrilled to be able to play for the Wildcats!

Despite my excitement, I was still quite nervous coming into the fall preseason. Having, obviously, never played at the college level, I was not sure if I could handle the intensity and balance lacrosse with my academics. But my fears were quickly calmed once the other first-years and I bonded with the team and got into the swing of things. After four weeks of practice I felt prepared (though still a bit anxious) for our fall ball play day. Despite the multiple injuries we suffered, I felt the play day and entire fall season went extremely well. We laid a good foundation upon which I am excited to build during our regular season next semester. Lacrosse is such a big part of my life here, and I could not have asked for a better group of teammates and coaches. I am honored to play lacrosse for my mother’s alma mater.

-Sara Woodward '16

Coaching at the 2nd Annual Fall Classic

It was a gorgeous November day, and I couldn’t help but think how lucky we were to be having a play day tournament in the afternoon. The Randolph Women’s Lacrosse team had hosted two get together last year that were a huge success; so everyone wanted to keep up that tradition.

Our team met for brunch earlier in the day, and as coach assigned everyone jobs, we all talked and made plans for the next few upcoming hours. I was given the position of being in charge of one of the middle school teams as a coach along with two of my teammates, Nushaa and Melanie. However, some of us were assigned roles as referees, as concession venders, or as workers to help the players sign in.  As the younger girls began to arrive, everyone seemed to be anxious to start the day dedicated to the sport we all love.

By 12:30 everything was in full swing. Games were being played and parents were cheering on their children while we made sure everyone was having a good time. There was even a stick-trick competition for the younger girls with prizes for the top three competitors!  As the day came to a close, each team choose about three or four girls to play in an All-Start game which was held at the very end of the tournament.  Once the horn blew to signify the end of that game, we said our goodbyes to the visiting players; all who promised to attend our next clinic as well.

                              Me with my AMAZING JAB Middle School Team

All in all, the day took a lot out of us; from running around, coaching, refereeing, and making sure everyone was having a wonderful experience. Yet, although we were physically weary, we were overjoyed that we hosted a tournament that was a huge success. And that was the most important feeling of all. I can’t wait until we host another play day next semester; and I know my teammates feel the same way!

Samantha Fagone '15

FALL BALL FROM A FIRST YEARS EYES

As two of the five first year players on the Woman’s Lacrosse team at Randolph College, we, Carrie McCane and Taylor Riccardi, described the 2012 fall ball season as a success! Being first years, the nerves one feels before their first college game are like no other. Four short weeks of practice had all come down to this. Knowing that the you’re up against is a division one club, a division two team, and two strong division three teams made us more up for the challenege of the day. Our coach, as well as, our teammates had warned us about the size of other teams, but actually seeing and playing against them was shocking. :)

All of that stress and anxiety had vanished when I stepped onto that turf. As the whistle blew, every fear had faded away. We were in the zone. Of course I still felt the pressures of impressing my teammates and making Coach Wagner proud, but the overall experience of my first college game was amazing. It was terrifying and exhilarating and everything I hoped it would be.

Despite having three injured teammates, for us it was a learning experience. I was able to see where my weaknesses were as well as what work I need to put in during the off season. I was about to see how the team works together and what I need to do on a personal level in order to play to my best ability with my teammates.

Fall ball allowed me to dip my toes in the water of college lacrosse in a more relaxed setting. I also think that the experience showed me the importance of putting time into the sport we love. My favorite part of the entire fall ball process was growing as a family with my team.

Coach Wagner is always talking about how tight we are but actually playing through the four week season you get to experience it firsthand, how much we are a family not only on the field but also off. You get a preview of what the season has to offer. Fall ball opens your eyes to how your teammates play, how your coaches coach, and how much work you as a player need to put into your game. We are both VERY excited for an amazing 2013 season this spring!


-Carrie McCaine '16 & Taylor Riccardi '16

2012-2013 Randolph College Women's Lacrosse Team

Missing: Ashley Stevens & Sarah Reed

We Are Survivors!

The Randolph College women's lacrosse team has been through a lot over the past three seasons. But they're not gonna talk about it over the internet...because they're better than that. One beautiful afternoon in September, as a team bonding activity, the women's laxers took to WildCat Stadium to make a music video about a song that shows that they're still here, and they're survivors. Wishing them the best, because their mamas taught them better than that! I'm a survivor.

European Adventure

Coach Alexis Wagner, Ashley Edwards, Courtney Kellogg, Coach Sue Ketcham

After meeting at the airport in Newark, New Jersey, we started a ten-day adventure that would end with eleven new friendships for the both of us and an experience that I will keep for a lifetime. Our first stop was Edinburg, Scotland. We tried not to waste our time doing that thing people call sleep, so we toured as much of Edinburg as we could starting the minute we stepped off the plane. Despite the jet lag, I couldn’t help but become instantaneously awed by the extravagant castles and vintage architecture throughout Scotland. We stayed in a relatively nice youth hostel that was located right in the middle of the city which was perfect for us because we could see different parts of the city without having to worry about transportation. We got to experience the nightlife and create lots of memories. The coolest thing about the trip was that we were able to tour a foreign country and play lacrosse at the same time. At dinner one night, we pointed out that even though we had only known each other for a couple of days, it felt as though we had been teammates for years. We all clicked from the very beginning, which could be seen by the way we were playing. It was great for us to be able to play with girls from different Divisions to see their playing styles. I’ve always heard that travelling really brings people together but now I can be a testament to that.

England was the second stop on our trip and we played a game on the day we got there and we played in a tournament the next day. Our first game was a bit tough because we got right off the bus and played before we even went anywhere else. We didn’t have refs so the coaches took out their whistles and stepped on the field. We struggled to come into our own that day but we made up for it in the tournament. One of my favorite parts about England was our tournament in Liverpool. We ended up winning two and losing two but we managed to have some fun while doing it. We really lucked out with the weather during our whole trip (with the exception of our first day in Scotland) and we played in exceptionally beautiful weather for this tournament. We played against some really great athletes here and we quickly noticed that we had to adapt to their style of play because it was a lot more physical than in the states. The referees really let us play and tried to call only the most obvious fouls. This was good but it also had a downside because we’re so used to playing in a completely different fashion that it took us a game or so to adjust. The tournament was an all day affair but we walked away with a medal. We were able to have refreshments with some of the other teams at the conclusion of the games. It’s customary in Europe to trade gifts with the other team after the game, during the refreshment period, which I thought was unique. It was nice to be able to chat with some of the other girls and learn a little more about the country. Everyone was super friendly! Some of the refreshment choices were a bit odd to me because I was looking to chug a glass of water but there were only sodas and juice available! We were also able to tour the Manchester City soccer stadium on our last day in England, which was an awesome experience. We got to sit in the coaches’ seats in the front row of the stands and we went into the players’ locker room. England is where we played the most so we kind of took it easy the rest of the time and just enjoyed being there.

I’ve always wanted to go to Europe, but I never imagined that I would be able to play lacrosse on a U.S team over there. Traveling to Scotland and England was amazing, but it was Ireland that I completely fell in love with. The fact that I got to go with one of my best friends made the trip even better. There were thirteen of us from all across the country and we all became close extremely fast. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to go on this trip, not only because I love lacrosse, but because of the eleven new friends I made. I will always have a connection with these girls because we shared this amazing experience. From the moment we landed in Scotland, we became friends and instantly got along. Ireland was our last stop on the trip and we only had one game. We definitely ended on a high note and beat the Irish national team. After each game we played, we exchanged gifts with the other team. We also celebrated after the game with food and drinks. The teams were very friendly, sociable, and they always thanked us for traveling over there to play them. In the UK and Ireland, the refs definitely were not as strict as they are in America. They let us play and they rarely called the whistle. It was interesting to see and it was a nice change. Most of the girls didn’t even wear goggles. I have loved lacrosse from the moment I picked up a stick in seventh grade and I love it even more now after playing overseas.

We played eight games in a matter of ten days, but lacrosse isn’t the only thing we did. In each country we were lucky to have free time and in Ireland we got to go to the Guinness factory. We toured the entire factory and the last stop led us to a glass terrace with the most spectacular view I’ve ever seen. We could see the entire city of Dublin and it was beautiful. Aside from playing lacrosse this was my favorite part of the entire trip.

- Ashley Edwards and Courtney Kellogg

Special Shade of Pink

The Randolph College women's lacrosse team held a Breast Cancer Awareness Night before taking on rival Sweet Briar College. Fans, players and coaches all wore pink in honor of breast cancer awareness. This night was special for alot of reasons, but for one player it posted a very close reminder of the hardship the disease caused her family. Sophomore Ashley Edwards, who is one of the standouts of the women's lax team, had to be there for her mother, Cheri, who fought the battle of breast cancer years ago. With Cheri in the stands and on the field before the game, Ashley gave a heartfelt speech to her mother that was littered with the words "proud", "strength", "courage" and "fight." There was not many dry eyes in the stands, as Ashley talked to her mother pre-game. Cheri took the microphone from her daughter and made sure people understood the importance of staying active, safe and being proactive. As you would know it, Ashley came out and scored the first two goals for the WildCats in a historic 18-13 win over SBC, the first ODAC win ever for the WildCats. On a night full of pink everywhere, it was the relationship between a mother and her daughter that shined the brightest.

Any Given Sunday

Spring Break 2012 was an entirely new experience for Randolph Women’s Lacrosse team.  After losing a tough game against Berry and Methodist, we refused to leave Georgia without a win.  Our last game before a long drive home was against Agnes Scott.  The year before we lost to them 19-12, this year we made sure to give them a run for their money.  Agnes Scott would be the last game we played before starting ODAC games and we were ready to shake things up and show our conference what we are made of. 

The game against Agnes Scott was a team effort; everyone showed up and was ready to play.  After having a back and forth start to the game, we stepped it up and did not let the Scotties catch up.  Courtney had her first goal of the season, and freshman goalie, Sam, had ten big saves.  The day before we had shown Methodist what we were made of, but the game did not go our way; however, we wanted to make Agnes Scott fear us.  We ended up winning 15-7; never underestimate the underdogs.

- Morgan Thompson

Our Spring Break Adventure

Out of the 14 players on the team, five of us are freshman, each having different thoughts of how this trip would go.  Yet, although our feelings varied as we stepped onto the coach bus, by the time we arrived back at Randolph, we all came to say it was a time we would never forget. Although the games were the main reason why our team ventured down south, our true bonding came in the least expected places. From the long bus rides, to dinner at Smokey Bones, and even in the hotels after a long day. Although the bus rides seemed endless, they were anything but boring. It was a time for all of us to bond with the older girls on the team as well as Coach Wagner.  Even during the delicious meals, the talk of how the games would play out as well as individual opinions were talked and debated over. We can all say we felt as if we were with friends that we’ve known for years instead of just months.  We weren’t just eating together as a team, but as a family.  But lets not forget about the two games that we played while on the trip! First up was Methodist; and although we fell short in overtime, we all gave 150% and when we walked off the field it was with a sense of pride towards our teammates and ourselves. Yet, the true victory came when we versed the Scotties of Agnes Scott College in Georgia.  For us first years, it felt amazing to get our first collegiate win and gave us the drive to want more.  Ending the trip on a good note, the bus ride home flew by and before we knew it we pulled up at Randolph. All five of us will never forget our first trip together with the team and all we accomplished. 

- Taylor Klevenz

Hosting Future Women's Laxers by Nushaa Kaz





JAB Lacrosse and the Randolph College women's
lacrosse joined forces back in November.



On Sunday November 6th our whole team got together bright and early and began setting up for the play day our coaches set up. This wasn't the kind of play day we were used to; we weren't playing! Coach Button, our new assistant coach this year happens to be the head lacrosse coach for VES which is right down the street. She coaches a middle and high school club team, which we invited to our campus, along with Forest Middle School to spend a fun filled day of mini-games! Each of the Randolph Lacrosse women had a specific job - reffing, coaching, sign-in, and concessions. We split the field in half short ways, and put two goals on both side lines. The left side of the field was for middle school and the right side was for high school.  I was reffing with Taylor Klevens on the middle school side, and Samie Maggard and Sam Fagone were reffing on the high school  side...obviously the middle school side was better! We split up the JAB lacrosse girls (Coach Button's Club) into mini groups of about 10 for middle and high school, so that they could play, rest, play, rest. As the day went on we all had loads of fun reffing, coaching, and just sharing our love for the sport with the younger girls. We got to give them pointers, teach them tricks, and get to know them pretty well! We even did a Best Trick contest where whoever had the best trick from middle school and from high school would win a prize! At the end of the day we had an All-Star game for middle and high school, where we picked the best players from each mini-team and had them play a 15 minute all or nothing game! It was so exciting! Finally, we wrapped up the day with loads of pictures and a big cheer! We definitely can't wait to have another one!

- Nushaa Kaz