If there is one thing that I learned from continuing my favorite sport in college, it is that it is more than just a game. While we all possess the common goal of winning games and performing well, the significance of a team sinks much deeper beneath the surface. During my first year of collegiate lacrosse, I can honestly say that I have the best team out there, and they are the reason why pursuing the sport was the best decision I could have made upon coming to college.
As a team, we all have something in common: our love for the game. With that, we can transfer this love to practices and games, and create something perfect together on the field. Practices are always so much fun because we are all focused on getting better, as well as having fun and enjoying the game together. Every play, every pass, and every shot is supported by the overall bond of team love, and love for the game, a force that is truly irreplaceable. I am always beyond proud to watch our performance on the field, because I know we worked hard together to achieve the overall picture.
No matter what happens, no matter the outcome, we are always a team at the end of the day. If we lose, we do so as a team, and if we win, we celebrate as a team. Everything we do, we do together, which is something I am truly grateful for. If practice is tough, the sun is beating down on us and the humidity is sky high, we tough it out together, and manage to have a blast doing it. We have certain pregame rituals that are used to get us excited for each and every game, because we are stronger together, and therefore must all be equally excited to take on every opponent. We run as a team, lift as a team, laugh as a team, and do just about everything else together. The memories we have made over the course of the year are ones that I will never forget, and ones that are truly held close to my heart because we made them together.
There is never a dull moment when I am with my team. Whenever I am with them, I am always smiling or laughing (or both!). When I think about some of our toughest practices, it is not the drills or conditioning that come to mind, but rather the moments of bliss I shared with my team. The two hours I spend with them every day at practice are my favorite moments of my day because being with them allows me to forget about anything that might be enveloping my mind with negative energy, and just have fun. The happy moments have not only increased my love for the game beyond what I thought was possible, but they have also deepened my appreciation for the team I have been so blessed to play with.
Since I have been playing with such amazing, talented girls by my side, I feel as though my skills and abilities have improved immensely, and I truly owe it all to them. If I need help with something, I know I can always count on them to show me the ropes. Coming to college, I knew that I was going to have to adjust to a completely different level of play, but they made this transition seamless for me. They are always there to help me improve, and give the best constructive criticism in order to help me improve my game. While I still have a lot to learn, I an extremely confident that I will learn it with a team like mine. I truly cannot thank them enough for what they have taught me.
My team has truly made college a home away from home for me. If I am ever having a rough day, I always look forward to seeing my team because they cheer me up like my family would. We understand each other and have such a great connection like sisters might. I feel very close to my team, and they were so welcoming when I came in as a new freshman. When I came to the first practice, as nervous as I was, I can honestly say that I didn't feel like just another freshman. I felt very welcomed from the start, and I can't thank them enough for that.
I am beyond blessed because of the team I have been given, and I can't wait to continue playing with them. For the seniors, thank you for being such an inspiration to the rest of us, and showing us how to be a teammate and a friend. I am on a team with so many talented players, and I am proud to say that they are some of my best friends. The bond of a team goes beyond the game itself, but it's about the friendships that are made to last a lifetime. The memories we've made are ones that I will always remember, and I can't wait to keep making more.
