By Reid Okoniewski
Contributing Writer
After a slow start to the women’s lacrosse team’s season, the Bonnies are prepared for Atlantic 10 Conference games.
A 1-7 start to the season was not what fourth-year head coach Ryan Lynn, or the team had hoped to start with, according to Lynn.
“Now that we’re in conference play, everyone is falling into their roles.” Lynn said. Lynn stated that although non-conference wins help game type experiences and looks better on the record book, A-10 play is all that matters.
“Once we hit conference, we’re hitting the reset button, and we’re going to go from there,” Lynn said.
Now that frustration has dissipated, as a result from the slow start; Lynn noted that with a young team like this, it is the small battles and successes that can help contribute in the long haul.
“Whether it’s a ground ball or draw control, you’ll be able to see some success as a whole and on the scoreboard,” Lynn said.
Lynn is seeing promise in his young squad, which consists of only two seniors and seven freshmen.
“We’re in a rebuilding stage of the team right now,” Lynn said, “but there are a lot of chances where the freshmen on the squad are stepping up.”
One senior who has had a large impact is midfielder Kaitlin Jennings, who leads the team with 14 goals on the season. Lynn talked about moving Jennings from a defensive position to midfield.
“She creates an offensive spark, not only with herself, but creating opportunities with her teammates,” Lynn said. “With that spark, and also being a leader, she has that ‘go-getter’ attitude, and it motivates the team to perform even better.”
Lynn has also noted that it is not just the senior captain that is sparking the team to perform at their highest level; it’s the new turf field.
“It changes the mentality of the team, because they know now that they are playing here (Marra Athletic Complex),” Lynn said. “In previous seasons, a majority of ‘home games’ were not held at Bonaventure University. If weather were not adequate for the field here at Bonaventure, the team would travel to Alfred University and use their facility. They have a sense of pride of home field advantage now,” Lynn said.
Coming off a tough loss against Robert Morris, the Bonnies head to Richmond today and then travel back to Bonaventure for a Sunday home game against Duquesne. The team will be challenged with how they can handle preparation of games, as well as bouncing back from traveling, Lynn said.
“We’re going into the week like any other, preparing for conference play,” Lynn said.
Lynn mentioned the team will play on a usual off day, Friday. “It’s unusual for A-10 play, but it helps us,” Lynn said.
Tomorrow the team will be back for a quick practice and then prepare for Sunday’s first conference home game on the new turf.
