Sparks Notes: February 7, 2008

“He who chooses the beginning of a road chooses the place it leads to. It is the means that determine the end.”

Two weeks have already passed in the 2008 UConn Women’s Lacrosse Season, and in that time we have made a commitment to forging our own path into the program’s unmarked territory. Returning an uncharacteristically young group, we are finding these beginning weeks to serve as a time for learning, experimenting and growing together.

Unlike many other athletes and students who dread the end of winter break and the return to school, class and sunny Storrs, being a spring sport gives us the luxury of coming back to the excitement of our season. The energy and enthusiasm within our team has undoubtedly helped us get back into the swing of things and has brought a little warmth to the winter. The five week break proved to be time well spent, as recognizable progress took place in terms of fitness, stick skills and intensity since the end of fall ball.

The week before our return to UConn, the Big East and Notre Dame announced that this year’s conference tournament, only the second one ever, will be held in Notre Dame’s legendary football stadium. It will serve as the first non-football varsity event to ever be held below Touchdown Jesus. Just in case we were in need of some extra motivation, this news surely fulfilled it. Denied from last year’s Big East Tournament, we have set our sights in taking part in this history-making event (for both the program and Notre Dame Stadium), and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.

With these ultimate goals in the backs of our minds, we are focusing on the present and the smaller objectives that will allow us to reach these heights. At the start of each week the coaches post goals for attack, midfield and defense to concentrate on and improve upon by the week’s end. This past week we made significant progress in all three areas, making us all optimistic about our learning curve. By taking small steps and using this time to master the basics, our potential for continued improvement is great.

Perfecting more aspects of our game each week, time will allow us to build upon this foundation and grow into undeniable competition within the Big East. Without underestimating our team at the current moment, I think everyone will be amazed to see the transformation we have made by the season’s end. Our season has begun, and we know where we want our road to lead, but after all – it is the means that determines the end. So for now, we are having fun with our teammates, working hard each day and simply enjoying the opportunity to compete.