Bear Spotlight
0Written By Miranda Davis
Since the start of January the UPIKE’s Women’s Lacrosse team has been preparing for it’s second season, the first affiliated season with NWLL (National Women’s Lacrosse League) and with NAIA as an invitational Championship sport since the start of January. The team faces some of the nation’s top competition including last year’s National Champion, Savannah College of Art and Design, the third runner up Georgetown, and several other top 10 schools. This year the focus has been on conditioning and stick skills. “As we build our program, I think it is important to keep it simple. Fundamentals are key to this sport as much as any other and when it comes down to it, that’s what will help us control the pace of a game in lacrosse, which is key,” Malorie Stockwell, head coach, said. The team faced a lot of trouble with the numbers on the roster dropping due to injury, illness and other sudden events. The main focus is to play with confidence, composure, heart, and hustle. The bears open the season with a couple of tough conference games right off the bat, University of the Cumberlands who have been working on building their program for two years as well as last year’s champion, SCAD. “They’re both going to be tough, but if we can go out and put into play what we practice, win every 50/50 ball and have fun, I expect this varsity season to be a good start,” Stockwell said.