by Christopher Annino
Collisions, lung busting running, objects moving 90 plus MPH, and sticks slashing sums up what would usually happen with in five minutes of a lacrosse game. Many critics agree it is the fastest and roughest sport on two legs. The sport originated, evolved, and was utilized by the early Native Americans to prepare warriors for battle.
Lacrosse players use a hard rubber ball, which is catapulted to each other by way of lacrosse stick. The stick is about three feet in length and has a net on one end to cradle the ball. The goalie’s stick has a wider net, and the defenders stick is six feet in length. The game has the same concept as hockey in the sense that the object of the game is to score on your opponent’s goal while not allowing him or her to score on yours.
It is one of the number one sports in Canada, but it is beginning to become the next key sport to play in here in the US, especially among female athletes.
Andrea Fossa, Stonington lacrosse player, says, “Lacrosse is becoming increasingly more popular over the last couple years. There isn’t half as much media attention to women’s sports than to men’s. However, as a sport individually, it has grown tremendously. More people with in our school are starting to recognize us. I am thankful to be a part of the team and the sport as a whole.”
With the growing of the popularity of lacrosse, so goes the growth of passion for the game. One person who has this characteristic is Maddie Cannon, co-captain, Stonington Girls lacrosse team, who belted out 43 goals and 13 assists, which helped lead her team to the ECC’s.
“What I love most about lacrosse is variation of the game. It’s a lot like field hockey, soccer, and basketball all in one. There are so many different fakes and tricks you can do with your stick. I love how once you have the basics down, you can do so many things and they relate to all 11 of the positions,” says Maddie.
Like all full contact sports lacrosse has a high possibility for injury. Unlike men’s lacrosse, where they have full body armor and helmets, women’s lacrosse only has caged goggles and gloves. Because of this, athletes like Maddie have gotten seriously injured, “I have had a sprained ankle, torn trapezius muscle, bruised collar bone, and had three concussions (within four weeks). The concussions have all happened from getting checked to the head, which is of course illegal, but does still happen.” Maddie continues playing lacrosse, and if anything, the injuries that she had to endure has made her stronger as a person.
Under the coaching of Jeff Mediros last season, Stonington placed 3rd in the ECC Championships, and had a record of 9 wins and 6 losses.
