With only five games left, the Hamline Women’s Lacrosse team prepares to attack the end of their season.
Previously, the Pipers played their first home game on Sunday, April 6, against the University of Wisconsin Stout, ending in a win for the home team in a 13–6 match. Hamline also competed in a game on Friday, April 11, against the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, which resulted in another win in a close 11–10 game. After these back-to-back wins, the Pipers now stand 4–6 this season.
“My first initial thought was, ‘Yes, finally we don't have a long bus ride or a flight that we have to get on to get to our game!’ Then I thought about it more, and I realized that it meant much more than not just having a long bus ride before. Our first home game was something that brought us closer as a team because we all knew the impact that this game would have not just for the younger girls, but for upperclassmen that would be having their last home opener and for the alumni that were watching,” first-year defensive player Harmony Wegler said via email.
New this season, the lacrosse team has made the move from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Conference (MIAC) to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Conference (WIAC). This change not only came with a whole new set of teams to compete against but also a whole new level to play at as well.
“I think that we have learned and grown from that so much, you know, playing against more talented teams is only going to make you better. I think last year playing in the WIAC sometimes we would play or playing in the MIAC we would play down to other team’s level when we could have given more and this year we’re just straight competing every single game, it’s just kind of like a dog fight. We’re playing our hearts out — we give 100% all the time,” Wilson said.
Some of the regular season games may have resulted in outcomes that the team may not have wanted, but that will not keep the Pipers down.
“Our team has gone through a lot of hardships this year, and one thing that we always have is each other, and I think that is something that we try to keep in the back of our heads. Yeah, losing is hard, and there have been games that we have lost, but what matters is how we react,” Wegler said. “Celebrating the little things is something that our team is extremely good at and something that motivates us all. With all of the hardships we have gone through this year, it would be really easy for any team to just give up, but we instead have grown stronger together.”
Even with so few games left in the season, the team remains in high spirits and hopes to accomplish growing closer together – and of course, clinching a playoff game.
“For us, it's about coming as close together as we can as a team. Seeing growth both on an individual and team basis is super important for our success as a program. Keeping it simple with our mindset and trying to improve every day.” Head Lacrosse Coach Adam Dobis said via email.