Spring Break
Women's lacrosse club scores big
Club team doesn't have funding for perks like a coach, but the group is looking to gain exposure and add players to its roster
Noah Tinker
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: Sports
The final match of the tournament, played at 1 p.m. Sunday, produced the Beavers biggest win, when they triumphed over Willamette 16-9.
Initially, the Beavers had trouble maintaining a lead, allowing Willamette to tie the score at 3-3 and pull within one, 6-5. However, a late offensive surge put them up 9-5 before the break. The Bearcats never seriously threatened again and the Beavers pulled out the 16-9 victory.
Such initial success has brightened hope for Jacobson.
"This year we really wanted to have a winning record and get into regionals," she said.
Jacobson, a junior in zoology, hopes that with greater success will come greater recognition and hopefully a better understanding of those that choose to play.
"A lot of people think we're kind of 'butch,'" she said. "They often think women's lacrosse is just as violent and full of contact as men's lacrosse."
Wendt agrees and notes that the violence associated with the sport can rebuke many who might otherwise watch women play,
"We don't hit as hard, we're not as violent, but we still try to be pretty aggressive," Wendt said. "We play in kilts … some people like that."
Because of the lack of funding, the club cannot afford a coach, which is something that Bryan Alexanderson, a graduate with a degree in music and a fan, would like to see remedied.
"I want to see them get some kind of central leadership and more girls on the team so they have more to choose from." In addition to this, Alexanderson also pointed out, "they don't have the means to do any recruiting, it's all just word of mouth now."
Wright agreed, "I would love to have a coach just so there's more organization and there's one person who's in charge."
Jacobson added, "we fundraise some, we also have our own MU account, and a budget with Dixon Rec Sports, which is part of a fund that OSU has for the Rec sports. Every sports club is allocated a certain amount based on need and we basically have to argue our need every year."
Jacobson encourages those who might be interested or who have experience to try out. "Just come to practice, the times are on the Dixon Rec Web site. We encourage people to come out, they can even rent equipment through Dixon."
For the moment, the players will try to focus on what they can control.
"Right now we're just working on the game," Wright said. "The fans will come later."
Initially, the Beavers had trouble maintaining a lead, allowing Willamette to tie the score at 3-3 and pull within one, 6-5. However, a late offensive surge put them up 9-5 before the break. The Bearcats never seriously threatened again and the Beavers pulled out the 16-9 victory.
Such initial success has brightened hope for Jacobson.
"This year we really wanted to have a winning record and get into regionals," she said.
Jacobson, a junior in zoology, hopes that with greater success will come greater recognition and hopefully a better understanding of those that choose to play.
"A lot of people think we're kind of 'butch,'" she said. "They often think women's lacrosse is just as violent and full of contact as men's lacrosse."
Wendt agrees and notes that the violence associated with the sport can rebuke many who might otherwise watch women play,
"We don't hit as hard, we're not as violent, but we still try to be pretty aggressive," Wendt said. "We play in kilts … some people like that."
Because of the lack of funding, the club cannot afford a coach, which is something that Bryan Alexanderson, a graduate with a degree in music and a fan, would like to see remedied.
"I want to see them get some kind of central leadership and more girls on the team so they have more to choose from." In addition to this, Alexanderson also pointed out, "they don't have the means to do any recruiting, it's all just word of mouth now."
Wright agreed, "I would love to have a coach just so there's more organization and there's one person who's in charge."
Jacobson added, "we fundraise some, we also have our own MU account, and a budget with Dixon Rec Sports, which is part of a fund that OSU has for the Rec sports. Every sports club is allocated a certain amount based on need and we basically have to argue our need every year."
Jacobson encourages those who might be interested or who have experience to try out. "Just come to practice, the times are on the Dixon Rec Web site. We encourage people to come out, they can even rent equipment through Dixon."
For the moment, the players will try to focus on what they can control.
"Right now we're just working on the game," Wright said. "The fans will come later."
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
lauren041565
Lauren Randolph
posted 3/06/07 @ 2:24 PM PST
Go Heather! Nice article on the women's lacrosse team. Its nice to see some long due recognition! Thanks!
Heather Wendt
posted 3/07/07 @ 3:48 PM PST
I just want to point out that no seniors actually started this year. They first started playing when they came to OSU...
Thanks for showing some lacrosse love, though! :)
We really appreciate the article and being recognized. (Continued…)
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