2009 Lacrosse Blog - Week 2

by Alex Crean - April 15, 2009

It awes me to think that less than two months ago, we had our first outside practice since our play day in the fall. On that day, we competed with approximately twelve players (no subs) and came out with a one goal victory over our rivals - the Pioneers of Smith College! We were graced with beautiful weather - 65 degrees and sunny. Conversely, the conditions were quite different in early spring - 20 degreees and windy. When our practices started at 4:30 p.m., it was already dark! 

By the official start to our season (February 2), our turf was blanketed with a thick layer of snow and ice. It was approximately a week and a half later that we were finally able to practice on some portion of our field. Luckily, by the time we took the field for our first game of the season, the turf was rid of snow and ice. The 2008-09 winter was the coldest recorded winter since the early 1920’s (I want to say 1922). That being said, for about a month the Lyons practiced through near freezing conditions, sunsets at 5:30, and the occasional appearance of flurries. As they say, what weather doesn’t kill you, will always make you stronger.

By the beginning of March, “tropical” weather hit Western Massachusetts. It was sunny with a high of 40 degrees during our first scrimmage against NESCAC foe Amherst College on February 21. By our season opener against Western New England College, it was partially cloudy with highs of 62 degrees! Despite our season-opening loss, we went into spring break with a 2-1 record. Our two wins came against Keene State College and Westfield State College!

Our team had a real taste of the tropics upon its late-night arrival in Fort Lauderdale Airport on Saturday, March 14. We resided in West Palm Beach and competed at the Spring Fling Lacrosse Training Center at Lake Lytal Park of West Palm Beach, Florida against St. Lawrence University and Allegheny College. In Florida, we posted a 1-1 record. We fell 19-10 to St. Lawrence but rebounded to defeat Allegheny 16-14. 

After a week dedicated to practice and playing games at my attack/midfield position, I sported a rather nice pennie tan-line. I have to admit that my tan was the result of a sunburn that I acquired during of first full day. A fond memory that I will always have is our Allegheny game “pump-up” drive-through safari. In three minivans, our team witnessed ourselves (Lyons) in a semi-natural state. An interesting fact our van learned about lions is that they can sleep up to 22 hours a day. In true emulation of lions, I believe we should enact that policy at Mount Holyoke College (hint, hint). Also, to the dismay of van-mate Rachel Kurzweil and the delight of our driver, coach Miriam Esber, we witnessed an influx of ostriches on the safari.        

As they say, time flies when you are having fun. Upon returning to South Hadley, the hot and sunny weather of Florida (which we were now accustomed to) had dissipated more quickly than our tans. We still had two-thirds of our season left to play though. Most notably, we have suffered two heartbreaking losses - 18-12 to Bridgewater State College and 6-14 to fellow NEWMAC members, Wheaton College. While a loss isn’t as glamorous as a win, we rallied hard in the second half to overcome the severe goal deficits we created for ourselves in the first half of those games. 

To conclude my blog, I revisit a team motto that was introduced at our beginning-of-the season meeting on January 30. "Honor our Past, Create our Future, Play for Today." Our team has already improved on last year’s statistics. A third through our season, we won three games! With our remaining games, we anticipate victories (hopefully at least one over Smith!). Every time we step on the field, we play for today. I write on Wednesday, April 15, 2009. Currently, it is sunny (gorgeously sunny) and 65 degrees. If that isn’t motivation enough, then what is?