The Auburn Women's Lacrosse club started the season with two tough losses Saturday in Gainesville, Fla. In a double header against the Universities of Florida and Miami, the scores were 22-9 and 12-9.
With only two weeks to prepare for a couple of the most difficult opponents on the schedule, the women felt encouraged by the experience.
Junior goalie Stacie Busbin said she thought the women played well.
"The most important thing we can take from this weekend is that we became closer as a team," Busbin said. "Not once did Auburn give up, and I feel as though that shows a lot about our character as a team."
The Auburn team felt the lack of practice most against the hardpushing University of Florida. Florida came out strong, using a combination of speed, defensive double-teaming and general tenacity to hold Auburn to nine points.
"UF is one of the best in the nation, and I feel we were able to hang with them in the beginning, and then they kicked it up and we couldn't keep up," said senior co-captainElizabeth Boyd. Against the more evenly matched University of Miami, Auburn played a much closer game, working to provide intense defensive coverage on Miami's quick offense. In the end, however, the more level playing field wasn't enough to chalk up a win
for the Tigers.
"I thought Auburn really played well throughout this game and stepped up to the challenge," Busbin said. "With a few breaks, the game could have easily had a different outcome."
The women's lacrosse club will face the Universities of South Carolina and Coastal Carolina Feb. 6 in Columbia, S.C.
"I am optimistic about our upcoming games and how we will continue to play with our hearts as a team," Busbin said.
Until then, the club will use this time to practice and become a more efficient team. It hopes that, with work and determination, it can overcome the losses and get back on the right track.
"We are going to work very hard and push our players," said president and co-captain, junior Katie Backer. "We need to work on ground balls and work on communicating better."
Backer said that Auburn's offense and defense both played their best against tough teams, espe- cially considering the lack of adequate time on the practice field.
Saturday held some challenges for Auburn's midfield, low defense and goalie, and the team is still working on refining its strategy.
"We definitely had our frustrations and little mis- takes, but all in all we were pretty good," Backer said. "We definitely have things that we need to improve on though. We will work on that this coming week and next before our next games."
The Auburn team suffered a few minor injuries during the double-header, with Busbin hurting her ankle during the match with Florida.
Juniors Ainsley Linus, Savannah Wentley and sophomore Alex Nalepa were injured slightly dur- ing the Miami game.
All four players will be ready to play in the Feb. 6 game.
In the next two weeks, Auburn will continue to put a laser-like focus on improving its game.
Coaches and players hope ample time to prepare will produce positive results.
"Even though losing both of those games was tough, I think it has definitely given our team the motivation and determination to come out strong each day at practice and really prepare for the upcoming games," Busbin said. "We know what we need to work on both of- fensively and defensively."
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