Program searches for first win with co-head coaches
Matt Weir/Collegian File Photo
Entering their third year as a varsity program, the women’s lacrosse team is still anxiously waiting to break into the win column and see their struggles come to fruition.
After going 0-14 last season, the Bulldogs are ready to leave the past behind and focus on a winning season as interim co-head coaches Carlee Buck and Lindsay Gotham replace Sue Behme behind the bench.
“I think we’ve got to the point where we’re waiting for our hard work to pay off and see the positive results in the outcome of the game,” Buck said. “Once we get a win, and we will win, I think it will be a big sigh of relief for everyone. Once they know the feeling, they’re not going to want to let it go.”
The past few seasons have been a struggle for the Bulldogs as the team has not only had to learn to work as a team to be successful, but come to be on par with their teammates in knowledge and skill level of the game.
“Everyone came in at such different levels of knowing about the game and how to play,” midfielder Amanda Cross said. “I think now we’re starting to become more level and equal.”
Standout defensive player Krisdina Gehring believes that playing as a team will be essential to winning.
“It’s a fast-paced game and it’s very difficult,” Gehring said. “It’s not an individual effort, the team really has to come together to be successful.”
Last season Gehring garnered all-conference honors by being named second-team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and has been a key player since the program started. Entering into her last season as a Bulldog, the senior continues to remain focused on playing hard each game and is looking forward to the first of many wins this season.
“I’m looking forward to winning and proving to everyone that they’re wrong and that the team isn’t a waste,” said Gehring. “We’re not a waste of funds, time or facility space. We’re going to show them we can win and we belong on the field.”
Team leading goal-scorer Cross echo’s her teammates sentiments, and despite the changes and concerns in the off-season, is ready to show people what this new team can do.
“I do feel some of the same pressure from last year heading into this season,” Cross said, “but that pressure is offset by teammates. We have a lot of good players and a lot of our freshman players have a lot of their own unique abilities to offer. This year I think we all have the mindset that we’re going out there to win and do well. It’s a definite change in attitude.”
Matt Weir/Collegian File Photo
The women’s team will open its season Saturday, Feb. 12, with an exhibition match against the Fresno men’s club lacrosse team.
Buck said the match will give students, faculty, fans and the Fresno community a chance to see the two teams in action, learn more about the sport and see how it’s grown over the past few seasons. It will also allow spectators to see a preview of each team and while there are several outstanding athletes on the team, Buck said she expects solid contributions from everyone this year.
“We’re expecting big things from Dina, [Krisdina] and our entire defense,” Buck said, “and we’re expecting our freshmen players to make immediate contributions to the team.”
This season isn’t just about records for the lacrosse team, and as anxious and ready as they are to get those wins rolling in, they’re excited to prove to fans how far they’ve come in three short years.
“When people come to the game they should expect goals from me and my teammates,” Cross said. “They should expect to see wins and they should expect to see a totally different team, because we’re not the same team from two years ago. We’ve grown a lot and have come a long way together.”