The Longwood women’s lacrosse team’s motto for the new season is “C.R.E.A.T.I.N.G a Legacy," an acronym standing for Communicating, Respect, Executing, Attitude, Trust, Inspire, No excuses and Gratitude.
The Lancers ended last season with a record of 7-11 (3-4 Big South), and entered the Big South tournament as the fifth seed. Their season came to an abrupt end in a loss to fourth-seeded Liberty in the quarterfinals.
Longwood finished in the top half of the Big South in numerous stats last season, such goals per game with 11.67, assists per game with 7.4 and points per game with 19. Additionally, they led the Big South in shot percentage with .507.
The team is right on track to achieving a great legacy, starting the season on a high by avenging last season’s loss to Lafayette, defeating the Leopards 13-12 this past Sunday in Farmville.
Madison Stair lead the way for the Lancers with four goals, while Riley Dolan, Dana Joss, Molly Barkman and Charleigh Kondas each had two.
Through all the hard work during the offseason, senior midfielder Madison Stair said beginning the season on a high note is a huge confidence builder for the team.
“It feels really good, we prepared as much as possible all week and our mindset was ‘we’re going to go out there and get after it.’” she said. “After last season we had nothing to lose and I think everyone came out and executed well and it was a really good feeling.”
After missing most of last year with an injury, Stair returns to the active lineup this season for the Lancers.
“Everyone has supported me and I have had teammates tell me ‘you can do it’ so finally getting out there and proving that I can get back to my old self feels really good,” said Stair.
There is a high level of experience on the field for the Lancers this season as their roster consists of seven seniors. They hope the experience pays dividends for them both on the field and in mentoring underclassmen.
“I think we have a very strong senior class. We have seniors in all aspects of the game to lead and to help the underclassmen find their way in the game,” said senior defender Charleigh Kondas. “I think with our strong senior class, we are going to see a lot of success this season.”
Sophomore midfielder Molly Barkman was the lone member of the team to be named to the Preseason All-Conference Team. She looks to continue her already successful career with the team after being named Longwood’s Female Freshman Athlete of the Year last season, and also the program’s first 2017 All-Big South First Team selection as a freshman.
The team wants to put an emphasis on being faster this season and having better execution each time they step on the field.
“Every day in practice we have a set plan, and we try to go through everything as fast and accurately as possible, and doing those things is really going to help us as we take the field for games,” said Stair.
With this year’s emphasis of being faster, the Lancers will look to force more turnovers after ranking sixth last season in the Big South with just over eight caused per game, coupled with the improvement of shots on goal.
Longwood’s second game of the season comes on Saturday, Feb. 17 as they travel to Washington D.C. to face George Washington University at 1 p.m. The next home game for the Lancers will be on Wednesday, Feb. 28 as they host in-state rival VCU at 3 p.m.
Senior forward Madison Stair practices plays for the upcoming game at George Washington University.
Longwood lacrosse ran some offensive and defensive drills while working toward their next game against George Washington University.
