From here on out, it is nothing but conference for the Hamline Women’s Lacrosse team. Starting with their game on Wednesday, March 26, against UW–Eau Claire, the Pipers will see nobody but Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) foes for the rest of the season.
With the recent change from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) to the WIAC, one of the more unique aspects of playing in the WIAC is the geographic diversity of the conference. As a Minnesota based team in the WIAC, travel is more extensive. Junior midfielder Courtney Parker spoke on the challenges that come with such a prominent travel schedule.
“You have to always be on top of what’s going on in your classes. Even in your personal life. It’s just as important as classes and keeping yourself mentally sane. You also spend a lot of time traveling on coach buses, in vans and on planes. Before, when we were in the MIAC, our games were fairly close to us. Now in the WIAC, a lot of it is traveling [sometimes] hours away and then you get back late and have early classes the next day, so it’s definitely a lot of planning and preparing,” Parker said.
Case in point, last week, the program got a change of scenery when they flew out to the home of Pike’s Peak as they visited Colorado College for a one and done conference match against the Tigers.
In conference play, there is no doubt that the level of competition is higher. Everything is more elevated and the intensity is increased. Senior attack Avery Wilson highlighted some of the challenges that come along with playing conference games.
“As we enter conference play, the level of competition rises significantly. However, I’m eager to compete alongside my teammates. We prepare diligently, both on and off the field, with high-intensity practices and extra stick work outside of practice to ensure we’re ready for the challenges ahead,” Wilson said via email.
Although conference games may carry extra meaning, many times the team is more focused on putting their best efforts out on the field, regardless of the opponent.
“I really just try to give it my all into every single game I have,” junior defense Brooke Frederick said.
With the team looking to put their best foot forward every game, they’ll rely heavily upon their leaders. Frederick emphasized some of the people who have stepped up into this type of role.
“Definitely our captains. You got Nico (Nicole Phillips) and Avery (Avery Wilson) is a really good one. I would even say a couple of our first-years have stepped up.
Lauren Moorhouse, Reagan Zywicki and even Harmony Wegler on defense. I would also say Sophia Warner is a really good part of our team. They all have really stepped up and taken leadership on our team and [are] keeping the good attitude going,” Frederick said.
Despite the fact that there may be girls on the team who have developed more of a leadership stance, every player on the team individually plays a vital role that is just as important to finding success.
“I have never played a sport with a group of girls like this. We support each other in many different ways. Their ability to face adversity and push through anything is very admirable. We work really hard and love each other very much, so I am very confident that we will show up and show out in these upcoming games,” Wilson said.
If attitude is any indication for the future, the Pipers should be poised for success as they head into this big stretch of games.
