Friends of Jaclyn Game

Although Saturday was a rainy day, the Generals were ready to take on the weather as they prepared to play their game in honor of their Friends of Jaclyn teammate, Maggie Reca.

Friends of Jaclyn is a non-profit organization that centers on improving the quality of life for children suffering from pediatric brain tumors by pairing them with sports teams.  The organization was started in 2005 after Jaclyn was adopted by the Northwestern women's lacrosse team.  The mission of the organization is:

To improve the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors. The program is based on love, support and friendship between the child, the team, and the child’s family. We pair a child with a college or high school athletic team based on geographic proximity so the child can be involved with the team as much as possible. The child is “adopted” by the team and becomes an honorary team member. The gift is in the relationship. The child gains a new support network of loving friends and the team learns to see the world with new eyes.

Some of the Generals sporting their FOJ shirts before warm ups.

Maggie Reca, the Generals' FOJ teammate, has been with the team since 2008, but has been battling brain cancer since she was 9 years old.  While Maggie, now 17, is one of the General's biggest fans, the Generals definitely get just as much out of having Maggie as their teammate as she does being part of the team.

Saturday was no exception to that as thankfully, Maggie and her family brought the sun with them!  It poured all morning leading up to game time, but when warm ups started the sun came out and stayed bright until  long after the game!

The seniors, Coach O'Brien, and Maggie during the tailgate!

While the game didn't go quite the way Maggie or any of the Generals wanted it to, having Maggie there reminds us all to put the game of lacrosse in perspective and enjoy it for what it is.

A big thank you to Maggie, Eric, Kathi, and Joe Reca for all making the trip down to Lexington for our FOJ game!  For more information on the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation please visit their website here: http://www.friendsofjaclyn.net/Default.aspx

Meet the Generals - First Year Julia Van Sant

After a stellar weekend win over Catholic, we bring to you another one of our many first years who is tearing it up on the field!

1. Name: Julia Van Sant

2. Year: Freshman

3. Position: Midfield

4. Major: Business, Minor in Art

 

Me and my family at my high school graduation!

5. Where do you live on campus:? Graham Lees
6. Favorite lacrosse memory? When my high school team won against our biggest rival my senior year.  It had been the first time in 8 years.
7. Goals for 2012? To win ODACs and make it to the final four.

Me and my roommates from high school!

8. What do you miss most from home? My family and my dog!
9. Favorite thing about W&L? The campus and tight knit community.
10. If you could have a super power what would it be? To fly

Me and some friends in Eleuthra over spring break!

Thanks to Julia for her answers and pictures this week!  Make sure to head over to the Facebook page to check out Julia's mini highlight video as she introduces herself to everyone following Generals Lacrosse!  Next week, check the blog to hear about the Generals' Friends of Jaclyn game being played this Saturday at Watt Field at 2pm against Mary Washington University!

Meet the Generals - First Year Sammy Yates

 The past week has been filled with lots of lax for the Generals!  A big win over Haverford, a tough loss on the road to Salisbury, and then a quick trip down to Hollins for a whole team win.  Make sure to check out the Facebook page to see who received the game ball for each of these games tomorrow!  Now, one of our first year midfielders who has been working her butt off up and down the field for us will introduce herself to Generals' Nation!

1. Name: Sammy Yates
2. Year: Freshman
3. Position: Midfield
4. Major: Undecided

 Me and my family!

5. Where do you live on campus? 4th floor Graham-Lees... aka why I haven't gained the freshman 100 (those stairs are killer).
6. Favorite lacrosse memory? My senior year in high school when we beat our biggest rivals, Moorestown.  It was the first time my high school had beat them in history.  We went on to play them again in the state championship and beat them 10-9.  Words cannot even describe the experience; it still gives me chills today.

 My teammates and I after our first win against Moorestown!

7. Goals for 2012: To have FUN!!  I definitely am looking forward to playing Gettysburg and hope to win that game.  And I think it would be sick to make it to the final four, but the important thing for our team is to remember to have fun while doing it.
8. What do you miss most from home? MY DOG!  My golden retriever Bailey is my best pal.  He's definitely my mom's favorite kid (cause he literally is human) and it's so weird not being able to see him every day.  I miss him so much!

My dog Bailey playing in the snow this winter!

9. Favorite thing about W&L? The small class sizes.  You really have the opportunity to know your teachers and you don't get lost in classes of 100+ people like at big schools.

10. If you could have a super power what would it be? If I could have a super power it would probs be the ability to teleport slash time travel.  Teleporting is just awesome and I would use time traveling to go back in time to experience things in history that I wasn't alive for (my first stop would be Woodstock).  And I would travel to the future to see if we ever ride around in space ships.  I also would want to travel to outer space and go to different planets.

Thank you Sammy for your great answers and pictures to boot!  This weekend the Generals are finally hoping to play a home game on Watt Field as Catholic comes to town for a big in region game!

Meet the Generals - First Year Katie McCartin

After patiently waiting her turn, we introduce to you Katie McCartin!

1. Name: Katie McCartin

2. Year: First Year

3. Position: Defense

4. Major: Hopefully a business and business journalism double major.

My family at my graduation!

5. Where do you live on campus? Graham Lees with all the other first year laxas!
6. Favorite lacrosse memory? My favorite memory at W&L so far is definitely from our last small sided games competition; Hagen brought us all the creepiest/most absurd masks ever to wear (see picture) and our team went from last to second place.

Small sided games team!

 7. Goals for 2012? Get good grades and make it to the final four!!
8. What do you miss most from home? Besides the obvious, my family and my best friends, I miss all the places to shop and go out to eat.
9. Favorite thing about W&L? It's hard to pick one thing.  I would have to say how friendly and welcoming everyone is; the transition to college was really easy.  I also love all the old traditions here.

Some of us freshmen laxers in D.C. before aviici!

10. If you could have a super power what would it be? Mind reading

Thanks to Katie for waiting so patiently and for being so excited to finally have her day in the lime light!  Next week, we continue to move through our big group of first years!