April 22, 2016
By Shannon Rostick, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- With only two games left in the regular season, the senior women's lacrosse players are reflecting back on their time with the team and making the best of the time they have left.
Seniors Madison Cyr, Heather Herman, Ally Heavens, Jenna Mosketti and Emi Smith all agree that they are not ready to be done with the team that has brought that so many memories over their careers.
They have devoted so much of their time at Penn State to practices, games, watching film, and traveling together, and that is something each and every senior does not want to end.
The girls are upset to have only two games left in their regular season, but they are excited that their last ever regular season games are on their home field.
"It's sad to be ending, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Having Northwestern and Maryland be our last two games and be at home is awesome and we are going to go out with a bang," said Smith.
Smith also thinks that the team plays better at home and truly does have that home-field advantage. With the vibes from the crowd and from the team as a whole, she believes that it helps them to play their best.
Heavens also agreed that being at home for the end of their season is the best thing for the team.
"It'll be to our advantage being at home. We will have a good crowd cheering for us and that makes it so much better," said Heavens.
The game takes up a lot of the players' time, which has helped them to keep their minds off of graduation and the culmination of their time with the team.
"I have been so consumed with lacrosse and it's nice to have the game to distract myself with, so it hasn't really hit me yet," said Heavens.
Cyr agreed and said that with so much time being devoted to the game and her schoolwork she hasn't had enough time to sit down and think about the end of her career as a player and as a student.
Smith took a slightly different stance, in the fact that their playing time continues through graduation, which makes the transition more manageable.
"We keep playing when school is done, so it's not like when we're done, we're done. We still have some time to keep playing after we graduate, so I haven't really thought too much about it yet," said Smith.
The girls also reflected back on their season so far and the success they have had as a team up to this point.
"We have had an incredible season. Our team has never had a record like we do right now and we are still having a great season," said Smith.
The one criticism the girls had of their season, was how hard they were on themselves after a loss.
"We focus way too much on our losses even though we've had a great season. But I guess that's a good part of our team because we expect so much from ourselves," said Heavens.
The girls are looking forward to the rest of the season ahead, and hope that they can look back after it is all over and be proud of the work they have done this year.
Penn State has been their home for the past four years and has given the girls an incredible opportunity to become a part of the community, build relationships, and integrate themselves into the amazing Penn State culture.
Although graduation is quickly coming upon them, the players are excited to be a part of the alumni base and to experience a different part of the school's culture.
"There is no place like Penn State and being on a team that has brought us all together from so many different places is awesome," said Heavens.
Smith also talked about how big the alumni base is and that she loves that no matter where she ends up she will always have someone yelling "We Are" at her whens she's wearing Penn State.
These past four years also mean that the girls have had lots of time to bond and get to know each other. They spend all of their time together and they have become like their own little family.
"We are not just teammates, we are sisters and Missy (Head coach Missy Doherty) is like our mom," said Cyr.
These close bonds make it hard for the underclassmen to see the seniors go, but they are making sure to celebrate and honor the work they have put into the team with a Senior Day celebration this upcoming weekend prior to their game.
Before the game, the seniors will receive gifts and videos from their underclassmen teammates and will be walked onto the field by friends and family.
This will be a great way to honor the seniors who have put so much time, energy, and love into the team.
The Nittany Lions will take the field this Saturday, April 23 at 12 p.m. against Northwestern.