6-2 Panthers looking to define HPU lacrosse
By Joseph Wetzler
Even though the women’s lacrosse team is off to a good start with a 6-2 record, they are still trying to identify the style of lacrosse that best suits them.
The team is only in their second year as a program, but has achieved a combined 21-6 record. In their search to create an identity for themselves, the girls are focusing on making themselves better every day and finding their strengths. While focusing on their opponents is important, the team is paying most of their attention on improving themselves.
Every team needs an identity and High Point women’s lacrosse is still a young program out to prove that it will be a force to be reckoned with. Coach Boswell has been very happy with her team and said that although she had wished for a 8-0 record by now, she is not upset with what they have achieved.
Boswell said, “Losing those two games to Virginia Tech and Vermont was a good learning process for our team, especially since we have a young team.”
Coach Boswell is also very pleased with her freshmen, who have played a big role in the success of the team thus far. This is a young team that has enjoyed much success early on and will only increase their expectations as they mature and gain more experience at the collegiate level.
High Point has picked up wins over Navy, UC Davis, Holy Cross, Robert Morris and George Mason. They have make minimal lineup changes during games, doing so only when more speed or taller players are needed to counter the opposition.
The Panthers entered a tough portion of their schedule that began with a win against Oregon on Sunday, March 25. The Panthers will also face Jacksonville (March 30) at home and Duke (April 11) on the road. Coach Boswell is very excited to have home games against quality opponents so that the team can prove to students and fans alike that High Point University women’s lacrosse is a successful team that can contend with some of the better teams in the country.
The Panthers had a full week to prepare for the Oregon Ducks’ visit to Vert Stadium, which was a very well matched game. The Panthers defeated the Ducks 13-10 on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in front of a large crowd. The Panthers came out strong and opened up a 6-2 lead with 11:42 remaining in the first half, but Oregon responded with three unanswered goals to close the gap to 6-5 at the half.
High Point opened the half with a beautiful goal by sophomore attacker Chelsea Thompson, but Oregon answered back with four straight goals to take the lead 9-7 with 20 minutes to play. However, in a matter of two minutes, sophomore Mackenzie Carroll evened the game at 9 with two goals and freshman Kendyl Gardner gave the Panthers the lead with 16:29 left to play.
Oregon would tie the game with 4:35 left to play, but again, High Point countered quickly. This time it was senior Heather Ziccarelli putting the Panthers on top for good.
Goalie Anna Wallingford made seven saves, including a huge stop with less than two minutes left to preserve the Panthers one goal lead. High Point would get two more goals with under a minute left to seal the victory.
Coach Boswell was extremely pleased with how her team stuck to the game plan that they had worked on all week during practice. She wanted her team to focus only on their goals and their game plan, and not worry so much about Oregon. Coach Boswell has instilled a winning mentality in her team, and it showed on Sunday.
If the Panthers keep picking up significant wins against opponents like Oregon, they will succeed in Coach Boswell’s goal of giving the team an identity. This game was a huge step in the right direction for the women’s lacrosse team’s hope to secure a winning identity.