Odds are if you’ve been approached by someone with a clipboard wandering around an Enloe orientation event, you were pitched to join the women’s lacrosse team. For those who took these clipboard-wielding Eagles up on their offer, their years at Enloe have been shaped by this tight-knit and passionate family.
Other than from the players themselves, you may not hear much buzz about the lacrosse team, and you aren’t alone. The team doesn’t get nearly as much recognition as many of Enloe’s other sports teams, but their dedication is hardly a reflection of this. “We always have to build our team from the ground up each year because there isn’t a lot of interest in lacrosse at this school,” says Harper Boone, one of the team’s senior players, “but we still show up.”
Immediately after walking into practice, a friendly buzz fills the air; the team members are excited to play, but also excited to see each other. An unrivaled community, on and off the field, is what sets apart the Enloe women’s lacrosse team. Boone says, “I just love the family we have here! … I like showing up and I like how I feel doing my best!”
While the lacrosse season doesn’t start until February, the 24 members of the team are hard at work long before then, doing pre-season training at Lions Park throughout the fall. Here, many future team members learn lacrosse skills for the first time from their fellow students. “It’s entirely student-led,” Boone commented. As the team stretches from newbies to more experienced players, the difference in skill level creates an even more inclusive environment for everyone to have fun.
Apart from the welcoming environment, another key characteristic that shapes the experience of the women’s lacrosse team is perseverance. While they are unable to practice at Enloe due to limited space and resources, the team makes the trek to Ligon during the season, not stopped from pursuing their passion for the game. “To be persistent, not letting certain things get me down,” is what Boone says lacrosse has taught her.
Starting in mid-February, you can find a carpool full of women’s lacrosse players lined up next to the Ligon fields, sticks out the window, music playing, and energy already building up for practice. Lacrosse senior Kealy Jordan says that carpooling “really builds the community in a different way because you’re driving with people you wouldn’t normally hang out with. You get to know everybody on the team.” This is one of many traditions that connect the players together. From dinner after practice, to ice cream parties as a reward for a job well done, to fun practices during events like the eclipse, to the team’s signature goal dance, small gestures speak volumes about the team’s bond.
Throughout the season, the team faces some tough opponents in the Cap 6 Conference, but win or lose, what keeps them grounded is the bond they’ve built together. “We have a good environment where we want each other to grow,” Harper says. “While winning is always great, there’s also a sense of unity that comes with losing together.”
A message to those who didn’t write their name down on the clipboard: ask yourself, why not try out a spring sport this coming school year? Lacrosse coach Todd Nolan says, “There’s so much gratitude you get out of the sport and I would encourage anyone to come give it a try! Probably about 90% of [the players] had no experience as freshmen and you can see they’ve grown big time. I’m proud of them!” The support of the women’s lacrosse team is unmatched. “If you have any interest in lacrosse…you should definitely try out,” says Bronson Cram, another lacrosse senior, “It’s a great way to make friends.” Maybe learning a new skill and joining a dedicated community is exactly what you’re looking for!
Follow their journey next season on the team’s Instagram: @enloewomenslacrosse
