Lacrosse season previews

Eastern University has around 24 different sports on campus. Two of these are our men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. Both teams have already begun practice for this upcoming spring season. Practices began for the men’s team on January 15 and for the women’s team on January 21, both for around two hours a day, six times a week. Both teams are fully dedicated to preparing for this new season ahead and working to do their best in the upcoming games.

The men’s team has 11 new faces this year but is still a mainly veteran group. New junior transfer offensive midfielder Brett Gougler talked about just how important brotherhood is to the team. The boys will go to lunch together and get together outside of the field to grow their relationships. 

“Chemistry transfers to the field,” said returning junior midfielder Gavin Stark, “if you can’t get along off the field you won’t be able to on the field.”

The men’s team starts off the season with an away game against Salisbury university at 1p.m. on February 1. The out of conference schedule for the team will be challenging, but coach Colin Piper believes it’s a great way to help keep their “eye on the prize,” by inciting a lot of competition and hard work for the rest of the season. The team is also looking forward to this upcoming schedule and loves Piper’s positive attitude. 

“Coach always talks about the playoffs, projecting us into them even as early as the first practice,” said Stark, “this gives the team a good mindset going into the season.” Coming off a great season last year, the men are looking forward to the chance to prove themselves again this season.

The women’s team has eight fresh faces making it a largely new team. Coach Mikalla Gillespie is excited to have so many new people on the team and to watch everyone improve as the season progresses. Returning junior, Gracie Horton is ecstatic to play with so many talented new players and see how the season goes. Each new member came in with a different perspective and experience in the sport. Freshman Addy Whitaker says they are “reconstructing the family of Eastern lacrosse.” This provides a great opportunity for the team to grow and evolve this season.

Along with new players the women’s team has a new coach joining the staff. Emmy Stiles was a member of the lacrosse team last year and is now returning this season as a coach. With her new perspective from a recent field player to a coach, the women’s team is excited to see the positive impact she’s going to have.

The women’s team starts off this season with an away game against Arcadia University at noon on February 22. The girls are excited for the challenging schedule this season and look forward to proving themselves. 

“We are not defined in wins or loses but rather in how we can stay in the game and feel more confident every game we play,” said head coach Gillespe. The girls anticipate growth across the board this season and amazing commitment and dedication to the team. Everyone is working individually to show that they are passionate about the sport and dedicated to the team. The girls are working to hold each other accountable in practice and even in school. “This will be the best season of Eastern women’s lacrosse,” according to first-year defenceman Whitaker.

Members from both the men’s and women’s teams have been working on preparing both physically and mentally for this upcoming season. Whitaker talked about the extra work she’s been putting in at the gym to keep in shape, including working with a trainer. Sophomore transfer defenceman Emily Berkley placed wall ball in her routine to help practice her stickwork. Stark mentioned the shooting practice he’s been doing in order to prepare for games and Gougler highlighted the preparation he’s been doing in school to stay on top of assignments during the demanding season.

Both teams look forward to showing off their skills this season and hope to see people attend their games. The first home game for the men’s team will be against DeSales University at 1 p.m. on February 8. The women’s first home game will be against Notre Dame University of Maryland at 3:30 p.m. on February 26. If you’re interested in watching one of their games, the men will be playing all home games over on the Valley Forge field, while the women will continue to play home games on Olson field. You can find the full season schedule online for both teams.