Caroline Helmer '12
STARS AND STRIPES
Growing up in Central New York, I have been able to witness a lot of great lacrosse. From high school teams, to college teams, players have been making their marks in the sport, and I have been watching. A few weekends ago in my hometown of Syracuse, I was able to take part in an event that will always be significant in my memory. As I took the field in a Cornell uniform at the Stars and Stripes tournament, I was surrounded by my teammates, the players I have looked up to and read about for years. After several weeks of getting to know these girls on a personal level, this did not seem at all as odd as it did the first day of practice. The surreal part of walking onto the field was looking into the eyes of the opposing team. We were up against the best players in the nation, the U.S. National Team. As I stared at the names printed on the backs of their uniforms, I couldn’t help but picture each magazine article I had read, or imagine each game I had watched, that had featured these great athletes. Having the chance to stand on the same field as them was an opportunity in itself. The next opportunity came when the first whistle blew and the ball was released into the air, a chance to compete with them.
Throughout the entire day, our team was able to play against athletes from all over the country, and all over the world. The Scottish national team, the Haudenosaunee national team, and both the U.S. Elite and Developmental teams were the competition for the Cornell women. Each game was energetic and competitive as every team played its hardest and left it all on the playing field. Every ground ball, stick check, goal, draw control, and save proved to all who were present that Cornell is able to fight with the best out there, and win. Leaders were emerging all over the field as the day went on, from the senior class and even to the sophomores and freshmen. As a conclusion to the fall season, we felt positive and excited for the future months. If 12 practices could get us to where we are now, imagine the possibilities come springtime.