By Elijah Alvarado, Sports Editor
Goals are never impossible to reach but take patience. Setting goals comes with challenges but ends with a reward that makes it all worth it.
The Saint Leo University Women’s Lacrosse team joins a variety of athletes and programs in the athletic department who are setting new standards by playing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for the first time in program history.
The journey to finally reach this milestone was not easy, especially when competing at the collegiate level. Saint Leo is led by nine-year head coach, Caitlin Hansen, who shared what it means for this group to finally reach this historic appearance.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the team, especially our seniors. Their freshman year we started saying ‘Play in May’ with the goal being a spot in the NCAA tournament. It took us four years, but we finally made it,” said Hansen.
Saint Leo has hit many individual milestones that have set the tone for what the season has come to. The roster contains a very large number of experienced veteran players with several being seniors.
“We have a very strong senior class so it’s no surprise that with this much experience under their belts they started breaking records. Holly Hilly really shattered our program records this season with the amount of assists and points she has amassed. Sophia Wood had a breakout senior year on both ends of the field, and Jana Nuss and Jessica Harclerode continued to build on their successful careers,” stated Hansen
“We start eight seniors out of 12 players, and all have had tremendous careers here, so this is really the culmination of everything. All the bumps along the way to get here absolutely prepared us for this opportunity,” added Hansen.
In many sports there is typically an event or action that causes a momentum boost within the team that changes the entire outcome of the season. In the case of the Lions, it was a victory over a conference rival which the upperclassmen had a goal in mind to beat them.
“I think beating Tampa at their place was a moment all of us will remember. That was a huge goal for the upperclassmen, and it was a big reason we were able to finish as the two seed in our conference,” said Hansen.
“They are two-time national champions, and we snapped a 13-game losing streak that day, so I think that game will stand out to me for the rest of my career as a special day,” added Hansen.
As head coach of the team, Hansen has been able to watch many of her players grow in their career since day one of their freshman year and together she and the girls have had a bumpy road. But in the end, led them to success.
“The seniors and I have been through a lot of ups and downs. They are a special group, and we have a great relationship. I really wanted a memorable senior year for them so they can close their careers on a high note, “said Hansen.
Being a part of a team, it is expected that the upper-class or higher-ups will lead by example providing a pathway for the incoming class, and the seniors have done just that.
“Their leadership and determination have helped shift our culture and set a bar for the younger grades. They know I am very grateful to them for how they have changed our program for the better,” stated Hansen.
When the NCAA seeding and bracket was released, the athletes, coaching staff and members of the athletic department gathered in Teco Hall at Saint Leo to watch the live program awaiting the seeding of the program. The moment the announcement came out, the room erupted with excitement and smiles on every face in the room.
“It truly was a culmination of everything we have been working for. The last two seasons, we were close but not in so to be disappointed back-to-back years and finally get it, there was nothing better! I was so happy to see their excitement and pride in their success this season,” said Hansen.
