Players' Perspective on Stetson's First Win

(L - R): Maylis Broderick, Caili Guilday, Kristina Cicchetti

One of the most memorable moments of our first season has to be the night of our first win. Not only was it senior night, which is exciting in and of itself, but it was also one of the most exciting games I have ever played in. We have been working so hard coming up to this win, and that night we knew we had it in us. Not even a four hour weather delay could deter our goal because it was in everyone’s mind that this win was going to happen. Even before the game, our locker room door had a sign stating: We Will Win!

What made this win so memorable for me was the team bonding, togetherness, and excitement that happened throughout the game. Every time there was a lightning warning our team would go straight up to the locker room and kept our energy going with music and constant cheering. Our team began bonding more than we have all season. This showed when we stepped out on the field after our last weather delay with all of our great connections and teamwork. It was such an amazing feeling to play together so well, and to see everyone come together to take this win. However, the best moment of the night for me was when our only senior, Kristina, scored off a drive to goal towards the end of the game! This was icing on the cake for not only an awesome senior night, but for a perfect way to seal our first win!

Maylis Broderick
Freshman - Midfielder
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Success is not something that is handed to you. It takes hard work and determination to achieve success. On April 14, 2013 our team finally found the light at the end of the tunnel that led us to victory against Kennesaw State. Although it did take six hours to get the win, I believe this is a huge milestone for our team. Being that it was the program's very first senior day, the team was amped up and ready to finally show our fans (and ourselves) what we were capable of. Even before the first whistle, you could see the fire in our eyes. We made connections with each other, attacked in twos and threes, had strong communication, and most importantly had confidence not only in ourselves, but in each other.

This game showed what hard work and team work can achieve. Throughout every lighting delay, the team was in the locker room with an energy I have never seen before. Nothing was going to stop us from getting that win. The team camaraderie was better than ever and made playing the game we all love that much more fun. With continued hard work and determination, Stetson Lacrosse is bound to do great things and tally many more wins. I'm proud to say that I am on that journey to find much more success with my teammates and coaches.

Caili Guilday
Freshman - Goalkeeper
Wallingford, Pa.

This past Sunday marked a huge milestone for Stetson Lacrosse as it was our first win ever! This game also happened to be my senior day, and my last home game ever. From the moment I walked into the locker room, I knew that this game was going to be different from all the previous games this season, and any other game I played in my career. There was a great energy in the locker room and during the warm up before the game. The first half went well, with good transitions and several beautiful goals and assists. But then the storm clouds rolled in, and we experienced one of the longest rain delays I've been a part of, at four hours. So in those four hours, we had an epic dance party and kept our energy up, but more importantly, we seriously assessed what we needed to do to win this game in the second half. We realized, collectively as a team, where we needed to adjust our playing strategies and we came back out onto the field focused and ready to go. As soon as the second half started, we played hard in all areas of the field; defense, transitions, redefending, and attacking. I can’t even begin to describe the amount of pride I felt watching our team be successful in all the areas we had previously struggled with earlier in the season. It was clear within a few minutes of the half that we had the momentum, energy, and tenacity to take control of the game, which allowed us to get way ahead of KSU.

I can’t talk about this game without talking about the final goal. I haven’t played in many games this season, and had actually never scored a goal in a game, even when I played on Stetson’s Club team. So to not only win this game, but to help contribute to that win has been an incredible experience. The feeling when I scored the last goal in the game was absolutely amazing. It felt so great because even though I was the one to put the ball in the net, it was absolutely a team goal. Earlier in the locker room, Noelle Morabito told me she had her mind set on seeing me get a goal. When I got back on the field, Danielle Horgan let me know she was going to set me up to score. The timing and positions were right and it happened. It was great to score a goal, but the thing that I will never forget is seeing the team’s reaction afterword. The collective celebration of every teammate on the sidelines and on the field was absolutely unreal. I have never experienced so much excitement and joy with so many people at once. That celebration was the definition of being a team. Although I’m sad to be graduating and leaving Stetson, I am so very excited to see how much this team will continue to grow and succeed. This historic win has, in my opinion, sparked an excitement and hunger in this team that will drive us to continue to work hard and do great things.

Kristina Cicchetti
Senior - Attack
Palm Coast, Fla.