The women’s club lacrosse team held a charity game on April 4 against Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). The team raised money and supported the Best Buddies charity, an international non-profit organization that provides opportunities for friendship between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Sacred Heart also has a Best Buddies club, which supports the program more locally.
“We were raising money for the Best Buddies program for their prom to be more specific. So, it was kind of a thing where we wanted to do it because it’s giving back in a direct sort of way. So it gives us the chance to give them an experience that they might not have had before,” said sophomore Katherine Taylor.
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The team emphasized how much it meant to them to be playing for Best Buddies and how important giving back is.
“Playing in the charity game with Best Buddies meant so much to me and my teammates. It was a chance to not only do what we love but also give back to the community in a meaningful way,” said senior captain Amanda Beberman. “It was amazing to see how sports can bring people together for such a great cause. It really strengthened our bond as a team and reminded us of the bigger picture beyond the field.”
The Pioneers were able to defeat CCSU with a score of 15-4 and defeated Stony Brook University on April 6 with a score of 16-4.
“One of the best things about our team is that we are goal-hungry. Each player on our team is capable of scoring, which allows for us to outplay our opponents. This past weekend, outsourcing our opponents 31-8 is a testament to how well we’ve been executing those strategies,” said Beberman
The team finished their season with an impressive 6-1 record. Their strong bond off the field has led to their success on the field.
“We just have a really good team dynamic. All of us are really close, and we all support each other a lot, which is really great on and off the field because when we’re on the field if someone makes a mistake no one dwells on it. We just kind of help each other and lift each other up,” said junior Madison Conklin.
“Another standout quality of our team is the unwavering support we show each other. Regardless of who’s on the field, we all cheer enthusiastically when one of us succeeds. Our bench is always loud with encouragement, as are the players actively participating in the game. Personally, those cheers always bring a smile to my face and motivate me to push forward,” said Beberman
Another key contributor to the team’s success this season is head coach Ashley Lane. Last year, Lane led the team to nationals for the first time in school history, showcasing her strong leadership and ability to bring the team together.
“She really emphasizes helping each other out and helps build the bonds between all of us, and I really think that is why we do well,” said Conklin.
This two-game weekend wrapped up the Pioneers’ regular season, and the team remains hopeful for a return trip to nationals, which will take place in Round Rock, Texas.
