University of Connecticut Athletics
Sparks Notes: Women's Lacrosse Blog (Mar. 6)
3/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
"The greatest test of courage on Earth is to bear defeat without losing heart." ~Robert Green Ingersoll
When I sat down to write this entry, I debated for a while whether or not to address the regrettable start to this season. I could easily fill the page with stories of our dinner waiters or locker room music making, but I feel that would be an injustice to the sport. Losing is as much a part of the game as is winning, and although it’s not as fun, it is sometimes more real. The heartbreak and frustrations are not to be dwelled upon, but they are not to be forgotten either.
When we look back on this season, those two marks in loss column will still be there. What remains in our control, however, is in which column the remaining fifteen marks will fall. If I didn’t believe that some underlying lesson exists in all of this, or in our ability to rise from this point, then I wouldn’t write about it. Because I am confident that the struggles make us stronger, however, I think it is fair to discuss the less glorious side of sports.
Reactions and reasoning towards the losses differ between every player and every coach, yet frustration remains a common theme. Each individual’s own thoughts have been consumed by lacrosse. In small-sided conversations, we vent and brainstorm. We have all come together and looked to each other for answers and for commitment in very personal and emotional meetings, the contents of which will remain within the team.
We are frustrated to no end, yet we have not stopped searching for solutions. It is for this reason that I believe losing can be the best teaching tool a sport can offer. When the team is winning, it is easy to be part of it, to come to practice, to be enthusiastic. It takes a lot more to do those things when we are trying to not accept losing, yet handle it at the same time. Those who find a way, however, win the ultimate game.
Together, we are trying to find that way. The last few days have revealed much about the character of individuals and of this team as whole. Since the fall, certain people have consistently provided words of reason, insight, inspiration, anything. Recently, however, a new voice has emerged, and it has been refreshingly honest.
Freshman Megan Bohns’ words in a locker room meeting brought her teammates to tears, then her own tears flowed as her post game talk hit home to everyone. Each player carries different experiences and viewpoints and Megan took a big step in sharing her own in a most heartfelt and pure manner. It has been a pleasure to hear people speak out, unafraid to actually be heard, and I am grateful for the things I have learned from my teammates in their doing so.
Around the conference and the country, everyone is calling us young. Well, we are. Within our team alone, though, the youth have stepped up. Working alongside the leadership and experience of the veterans, the youthful energy is beginning to show. Just as our freshmen have begun to work their way into the heart of this team, this young team can work its way back into the heart of the sport.
In my first entry I said that this team would be far from the same by April’s end. While we might have a steeper climb than anticipated, I still stand by those words. Each challenge that we rise above makes us a little wiser, a little stronger and a little more prepared for the next one. Our coach tells us “It’s not about where we start, it’s about where we finish,” and in the end, we will be better for the obstacles that allowed us to get there.
