Interview with PSU Midfielder Molly Gleason

1. Tell me a little bit about your back round in lacrosse before you got to Plymouth.

MG- I learned how to play lacrosse at Haverhill High School my freshman year. The Haverhill team was a developing program and had only begun 5 years prior to my first year on the team.  I also played for Home Grown Lacrosse my senior year, which is a club team. With the Home Grown team I traveled to several recruiting tournaments and that is where I had the privilege of meeting Coach Blanchette.

2.What was your favorite part of the Dallas Spring Break trip?

MG- My favorite part of the teams Dallas spring break trip was when we went to Fort Worth Stockyards. In Fort Worth we were able to ride mechanical bulls, witness a cattle drive and observe a live cattle auction. My favorite part of the day is when we paired up with our "team sisters" which coach assigned at the beginning of the season, mine is Maki Bay. We then had a competition to see who would be able to complete a massive maze in the shortest time span. Unfortunately Maki and I were 3^rd but it was still a blast!

3. What has been the best part of the season so far?

MG- The best part of the season so far was after our first game against Springfield when we got back into the locker room. Despite our loss in overtime, Coach told us she was so proud. At that moment I believe the team realized that all our hard work is going to pay off. 

4. Being a midfielder, what do you enjoy playing more (between offense and defense), and why?

MG- As a midfielder I would much rather be on the offensive end for several reasons. Most importantly this means we have possession therefore we are in control of the game. Secondly, in the offensive end you are able to control the pace of the game, opposed to when you are defending you must react to what the other team does. Lastly, our offense is extremely creative which makes the attacking end much more fun. 

5. Why has this team been so successful this season?

MG- We are so successful this season because the team is extremely disciplined on and off the field. An hour to two hours everyday before practice I will find my teammates playing wall ball, partner passing, shooting, working-out or even practicing their 1v.1 defense. Every single person on the team strives to be better and is willing to put in the time and effort to do so. When practice starts we are all fully engaged in what coach is saying, even during drills every conversation is lacrosse related. 

6. Do you have any pre-game rituals? If so, what are they?

MG- Yes, I do have pre-game rituals! Maki Bay gave me a long quote at the beginning of the season and I read it several times before every game. I also wear eye black during every game and Amanda Richardson is the only person I let apply it, I don't trust myself. 

7. What is one unusual talent that any given person on the team has that would surprise people in Plymouth?

MG- Carly Floyd has the unusual talent of convincing anyone and everyone that they should get dread locks. She has four dread locks and at one point in the season she convinced about half the team that they should get them, even Coach wanted one! Kristen Guest and Emily Davis ended up getting one each, courtesy of Carly. 

8. If you were to win the lotto, what would be the first three things you would do?

MG- Weird I was thinking about this the other day! I think first I would pay for school. Second I would buy Plymouth State Women's Lacrosse a turf field! Lastly, I would pay for the entire team to go on a summer trip to Ireland. 

9. What are your expectations for the team for the rest of the year?

MG- I expect a lot from the team this year including winning our conference and going on to win a national championship.  I have full confidence in my team we have the determination and personnel to accomplish big things! 

10. Do you have anything to say to the Plymouth community?

MG- I would like to thank the Plymouth community for all their support it really means the world to us, we would not be where we are today without it.