Women's lacrosse set for nationals
By Jackson Morgus
The women's club lacrosse team has worked their way into a No. 1 national ranking, and they are taking one of the most talented teams that lacrosse has to offer into the playoffs and in the direction of the national tournament.
"I think our success so far this year is a testament to the work we've put in, not only this season but for us seniors, over the past four years," said senior Club President Jenna Choquette. "We've worked hard day in and day out since October. We're out in the cold and rain all winter and our focus has carried on all year, and it shows in our ranking and record."
The team suffered their first loss of the season to No. 5 UC Davis in double OT on April 3, but since then the Broncos have pulled off four straight wins, improving their record to 15-1 and justifying their top national ranking.
The team has had a number of star players rise to the occasion this year. Krista Shaw was named Lacrosse Magazine's Women's Division Intercollegiate Associates' Pre-Season Player of the Year. She has not disappointed, netting 55 goals and 70 points thus far. Shaw is well decorated, as a two time All-American in the WDIA, the governing body for U.S. lacrosse.
However, it has not been just Shaw carrying the squad, as the Broncos have relied upon a team effort all year.
"Rather than focusing on individual stats, we win as a team and lose as a team and we all have the mentality of a common purpose," said Choquette.
Despite the tremendous success the team has had this year, the Broncos refuse to see their job as finished. Like almost all teams, they will judge their season not on how it begins, but on how they are able to finish it. That finish refers to their performance at the national tournament, which is held May 5 through May 8 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
"We've taken this season one game at a time and right now we're focused on winning our league (the WWLL) this weekend at playoffs, but we don't want to leave anything on the table," said Choquette.
The league championship, held in Los Angeles this weekend, will be an important test before nationals, where the Broncos will take on top teams in the nation, including the team responsible for their only loss this season, UC Davis.
Despite their success, attention and funding is difficult to come by for a club sport. The Broncos are self-funded, which is an obstacle, especially once they need to travel for regional and national tournaments. In order to do so, they need to garner attention from the student body.
The Athletic Department runs stories on the team's number one national ranking and for Shaw on the Web site, but is reluctant to draw attention, and more importantly funding, away from varsity sports.
"Up until this year, we've never really had any sort of recognition on campus," said Choquette.
However, the student run team has avoided trouble, as they head into postseason play with a formidable record and a good chance to bring a national championship to Santa Clara, something that would be sure to bring the team attention on campus.
Contact Jackson Morgus at jmorgus@scu.edu or (408) 551-1918.