Friday, September 14, 2012
We Are Survivors!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
European Adventure
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| 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
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Special Shade of Pink
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
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Hosting Future Women's Laxers by Nushaa Kaz
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| 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
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
My First Experience on a College Lacrosse Team
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.
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