As a naïve senior, I thought that, going into my freshman year of college, there would be nothing I would miss from high school. My high school experience, like many other people's, was filled with laughter, drama, tears, and many memories. But when it came time to go to college, I was ready to move on. I was nervous, but ready.

I didn’t realize what I was actually missing until the day I walked onto the field one last time. The field that changed my life forever. Now the first word that comes to mind when I think of this field is not luxury or fancy, but home. Our lacrosse field was in the middle of Price Hill, in between a Friches and the baseball field, across the street from Little Caesar's.

I loved that place, but I didn’t think leaving it would be so difficult. I remember walking up to the field as a freshman. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I didn’t even know how to play lacrosse, but I was prepared to try new things. We practiced and practiced until it came time for our first game.

I remember the butterflies in my stomach and not being able to feel my fingers. I remember the rain hitting my forehead and the slippery green grass. I was nervous but excited. I remember my first goal. It was during that first game. I got fouled and got a free position shot. I remember my fingers gripping around the stick. I remember breathing heavily, taking the shot and watching the ball bounce into the corner of the goal.

At that moment, I knew I found my place. I don’t think the smile left my face for the rest of the day.

I didn’t believe that the next four years would go by so fast.

Fast forward to my senior year of high school, my last season with the team who helped shape me into the person I am today. I began to look back on what I have learned from playing this sport. I learned how to be a leader. I learned how to be a fighter. I learned how to be compassionate. I learned how to motivate myself. I learned more things about myself in my four seasons playing lacrosse than I ever have before. I remember my last game so vividly. It was a tough game against a tough opponent, like most games were that season, but this one was different.

It was a post-season tournament so if we lost we were done. We played our hearts out the whole game. As the seconds died down, we all knew, but didn’t want to admit, this was the end. I scored the only goal of that game. I remember thinking what a great way to end this crazy journey. I watched as time slowly ticked away and felt the tears welling up in my eyes. I couldn’t believe it was over.

When the buzzer rang, I melted in a puddle of my own tears. I felt my teammates arms around me as they tried to pick me up. We hugged and we cried for about five minutes until our coach pulled us all together.

He said, “This was your last game as Seton lacrosse players. You have all made an incredible impact on each and everyone one of us in this circle.” When he said that I couldn’t help but smile. Each and every one of us had made an impact on each other lives. These girls who started off as strangers, soon became best friends, and now family.

During our last practice of the season the seniors leave the field in a tunnel created by our teammates. After running through the tunnel and down the hill, I couldn’t help but look back up that field one last time and think of the impact this team and this sport had on my life and the legacy I was so proud to leave behind. I went from being a shy and timid freshman in high school to a confident and outgoing senior.

So, as I end this letter I want to say thank you Seton Lacrosse, for creating a family I will have in my life forever, a never-ending book of life lessons, and for building me up to the women I am today.

Sincerely,

An Old Friend