The Miami University women's club lacrosse team travels to Pittsburgh this weekend to play in a tournament that could determine if they make it to nationals in April.
The team will play the club teams from Virginia Tech, Texas A&M University, Penn State University and Santa Clara University. Coming off the win over the University of Dayton last weekend, the women are currently ranked No. 18 in the nation, three spots up from where they were at the beginning of the season.
"We went into the season ranked 21 but after beating Michigan State University for the first time ever in the pre-season and then beating the University of Georgia at the University of California Santa Barbara tournament in February, we jumped up in the ranking to 18," said senior Sara-Kate Kelleher, president and co-captain of the team.
Depending on how well they play this weekend, the team could increase its ranking and potentially receive a spot in the national tournament.
"If we play our best we will be good to go for nationals," first-year coach Jarrod Ward said. "Whenever we play it is to the level of our opponents. We can really play on any team's level."
To prepare for the season, the team starts practicing at the beginning of each school year. Once the season gets into full swing, they begin practicing five days a week, hold conditioning at the Recreational Sports Center and scrimmage each other at every practice to see what part of their game needs the most work. The team also holds pre-game dinners and team nights to keep up its dynamic off the field.
"The girls are extremely good," Ward said. "We have been and will continue to be a force this year. They are committed, work hard and have the attitudes to make the team better. We have the chance to really make it far."
Another way the women could go to nationals would be by beating their league opponents.
"In order for us to definitely go to nationals, we need to beat University of Kentucky, Lindenwood (University), (University of) Illinois and Dayton," Ward said.
After already beating Dayton, the team will get a shot at the other teams when they host a play day April 4 at their home field. All the teams will play each other to determine positions in the league and see who goes to nationals. The women also need to play a club B-team to be considered for nationals and may get the chance to play the B-team from the University of Cincinnati April 7 under the lights at their field near Yager Stadium.
"This season has really showed us that through hard work and dedication we can be really good team," Kelleher said. "Beating Michigan State was huge for us because we were on their turf and have been trying to beat them for a few seasons now. Hopefully this weekend turns out in our favor, and we come back with a shot to go to nationals going into our play day."
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Anyone interested in seeing the girls play at their play day April 4 can contact Kelleher at miamilacrosse@gmail.net for game times.
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