Women’s Lacrosse on Right Track for Future Success

Photo+by+Jillian+Briglia+

Photo by Jillian Briglia

Competing in their first full season at the varsity level, Whitman Women’s Lacrosse has shown that they will be a force for years to come. The Northwest Conference is comprised of five teams, with Whitman being the most recent to join in. Competing against programs which have been established for some time, Whitman has held their own and are currently sitting in third place with a 3-3 record in conference play, including a season sweep of the University of Puget Sound.

The team has also challenged themselves with a tough non-conference schedule, traveling across the Western United States. They took early season trips to Claremont, California and Colorado Springs, Colorado. These trips served as an outstanding way to build team chemistry, and also allowed the team to see some of the top competition in the country. Although the win loss record in these games is not all too promising, the process and learning has been crucial for the team development.

A huge part of this season has been the immediate impact of the underclassmen. First-year Lindsay Schwartz currently ranks first in the conference with 47 goals, a number which also ranks her 28 in the country. Coach Kate Robinson to Schwartz’s impact this season.

Photo by Jillian Briglia
Photo by Jillian Briglia

“It’s been great to see the underclassmen and first-years really come into their own this season. As a new program, they’ve really taken every opportunity they’ve been given and stepped up on the field. I am really excited to see the growth in the next few years, not only with the current underclassmen growing and gaining experience, but also to see new Whitman Lacrosse players enter the program,” Robinson said.

It seems intuitive that the youth on team has been a driving factor this season, as lacrosse is currently the fastest growing sport in the country. It has exploded at the high school level, particularly in the western United States. The game requires a unique combination of different sports; superb hand eye coordination, a level of physicality and the ability to operate at a fast pace are just a few of the many necessary skills for lacrosse players.

This is not to say that there is a lack of upperclassmen leadership on this team. Four seniors will graduate this May, and they have certainly left an impact on the field. Captains Nina Henelsmith and Sam Sheffer, as well as Savannah McNichol and Emily Jordan were all essential to the transition from club sport to varsity status.

Their last game in a Whitman uniform will be Sunday, April 24 at the Whitman College athletic fields. Their dedication and passion for the game was certainly appreciated, and was essential in bringing varsity lacrosse to Whitman. Coach Robinson is thankful to her seniors in their transition to varsity, as well as their assistance in her transition into a coaching role at Whitman.

“These four seniors have been an integral group of this team. They’ve aided in the transition from club to varsity status, helped new players in the program and brought an energy to the team that I am going to miss. I can’t thank them enough for help kick starting this new program at this level. They will be missed,” she said.

Photo by Jillian Briglia
Photo by Jillian Briglia

While the seniors will be missed, the future of the program is certainly bright. The early season trips across the West allowed them to learn from some of the best programs in this region. The youth on the team has made an immediate impact, and they have shown a great ability to learn on job. They have also shown that age does not matter, and that this team can certainly compete for championships.

The experience gained this season will surely benefit the underclassmen for years to come. Coach Robinson has already locked up five incoming recruits and is hoping to add a few more to her second official recruiting class.

“I think the future of our program is looking very promising. We’ve grown so much since last year and grew significantly this year from the start of the season to now. With every year we gain more experience and knowledge. Our level of lacrosse has elevated and I think that with every year that level will jump. I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” Robinson said.