The Auburn Women's Lacrosse club opens its season Saturday by traveling to Gainesville, Fla., to match up against the University of Florida and the University of Miami.
"Florida teams have been very big struggles for us in the past," said co-captain junior Katie Backer. "With Florida and Miami being the first games of the season, we have really needed to focus, right off the bat."
Backer said the team has been focusing on conditioning during fall practices and over the winter break, as well as drills.
In addition to conditioning, the team has grown significantly this season, with 21 players.
"We have a lot of subs in midfield this year, which is something we have not always have," Backer said. "With midfield players running the most, we will be using the bench a lot and they will be a very big asset in this game with their fresh legs."
One thing the team is lacking is a coach.
The three co-captains and the team's officers lead the team on and off the field.
"We try and keep the respect for one another and the whole team," Backer said. "With no coach, it is not just the captains doing the coaching, but everyone on the team teaches what they know to the other players."
With so many new players, Backer said it will be important to work as a team and support each other.
Florida started a varsity team last year and a few of the club team members made the varsity team, which Backer said can only help Auburn.
Co-captain senior Meredith Noulis said the team has been told that Florida's goalie was pulled up to the varsity team, but they are not counting on that.
To prepare for any situation, Noulis said this week the team is focusing on basic fundamentals, such as passing and catching and transitions in the midfield.
"We know that these games are really important, and we know that we have to win in order to have a chance in the championship," Noulis said.
Backer said she thinks their goalie, junior Stacie Busbin, is one of the most talented goalies she has ever seen, and that is a big strength for the Tigers, in addition to returning all of the defensive starters.
Offensively, Backer said the midfield is "quick and talented" and the offense is strong.
"As a whole, our team is, in my eyes, stacked," Backer said.
Junior Carly Williams said over her three years of playing for Auburn, the Miami lacrosse team has been a very physical team, and they are working on stick skills to maintain control of the ball.
"The teams this weekend are tough teams, but were practicing on working together this week," Williams said. "We've got a lot of new girls and a strong team with a ton of talent."
The Auburn Women's Lacrosse club takes on Florida Saturday at noon and Miami at 4 p.m.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
