Girls' Varsity Lacrosse

4/16/2010
The Girls' Varsity Lacrosse team welcomes two new coaches to the program this spring, as Caddie Jackson and Avery Cushman have taken over the reigns of the team for the 2010 season.  Coming off of a successful 2009 season which drew upon a core of graduating seniors to provide scoring, defense, and most importantly, leadership, the 2010 edition of the Girls' Varsity Lacrosse team had many questions to answer at the outset of the season.  As returning players learn to fill new roles and newcomers find the most effective way to contribute to the overall goals of the team, Coach Jackson is confident in the direction of the program: “While we derive much of our strength and leadership from the seniors, every player is a key player as there isn’t one individual on the team that we do not feel confident putting on the field.”

While spring sports in northern New England face challenges beyond the competition of opponents due to a relatively short season and occasionally inclement weather, both coaches and players are excited about the 2-1 start to the young season.  The team’s first practices, which took place in the gym, focused on team bonding and fundamentals. Their consistent focus on fundamentals, the confident use of both hands, and ability to be versatile players has remained a focus throughout this spring and, in the eyes of their coaches and spectators, is preparing them well for not only the games this season, but for competition at a the collegiate level.  

Key wins over Vermont Academy and Hebron Academy were triggered by the play of Eliza Perry, Courtney Summers, Marion Smith, Emily White, Jenny Galligan, Sarah Cottrill, Kerstin Middleton, and Katie Lehmann.  The leadership and play of this core group of returning players, in addition to the strong performance by Anne Raffaelli in net, has been instrumental to the team’s early success.  As players and coaches navigate their way through the remaining six weeks of the season, new challenges will undoubtedly test the merit of this group of young women.  Whether those new challenges are founded in injuries, stiff competition, or team dynamics, it is this type of experience in which the value of Proctor’s athletic program is rooted.

While experiential learning at Proctor is often classified as a specific off-campus program or intentional experience, the impact of athletics cannot be overlooked as a learning opportunity for students.  It is in the day to day challenges provided by engagement in athletic programs, with coaches who genuinely care about the development of students, where the most notable growth of young men and women occurs. The goals of Proctor’s athletes vary tremendously, as many pursue collegiate competition following their time at Proctor while others are content to have their stint as a Hornet be the pinnacle of their athletic experience.  However, one goal remains consistent: to challenge and push oneself to new physical and emotional limits through participation in a group experience.  The Girls' Varsity Lacrosse team is in the midst of this experience, and if the first three weeks of the young season is representative of what is to come, not only will this team see success on the field, but it will also effectively glean the profound lessons athletics offers all who are willing to engage.  Good luck to the Girls' Varsity Lacrosse team this spring!