After a shortened 2020 season and a long off-season, the Lehigh women’s lacrosse team is looking forward to the season opener against Drexel on February 20th.
The Mountain Hawks were picked fifth in the preseason poll. Fifth year midfielder Sondra Dickey has been named to the preseason All-Patriot League team.
Last season, Dickey led the team with 32 goals, 42 points and 14 sales. She is one of the best players on the team and will be very dependent on her in the coming season.
This weekend’s game is eagerly awaited by players, coaches and staff. Due to COVID-19, the number of regulations governing athletics has changed the way teams could train and function.
“I’m looking forward to the game days,” said junior defender Jenna Garden. “There is no day like a matchday. You can’t repeat the feeling you get when the first whistle sounds. “
Garden said she expected the atmosphere to be surreal for their first game in 348 days as the team are only grateful for the opportunity to play again. As soon as the buzzer sounds at 12 noon in the Ulrich Sports Complex, everyone will breathe a sigh of relief.
The second striker Katia Carnevale is also looking forward to her return to the field.
“I’m really looking forward to just getting back on the field with my team-mates,” said Carnevale. “It took a long time and I’m really looking forward to the game days.”
Due to the limited field time, with all 23 sports in action, the training schedule for women in lacrosse looks different than normal. Sometimes the team trains at 7 a.m. because that’s the only time they come on the field.
The exercises consist of stick-work to start and then more playful scenarios to finish.
All of the obstacles they have faced over the past year have made it clear to the team the importance of enjoying every second and not taking things for granted, Carnevale said.
The players are not only looking forward to the season, but also the coaches.
“We are very excited to be practicing together again and feeling extremely motivated now that the games are on the horizon,” said Sammy Cermack, deputy head coach.
Cermack said she was proud of the team’s efforts and couldn’t wait to see them face off against Drexel University
“I think we have a lot of really strong parts that fit together wonderfully,” said Cermack. “No player offers the same as the other. We hope we are strongest when we play together as a whole.
Less than a week before their season debut, the Mountain Hawks hit the practice fields to get the most out of the remaining days.
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