Road Trip with Plymouth State Women's Lacrosse

Last Thursday, March 29th, I was fortunate enough to go to one of the Plymouth State Women's lacrosse team's away games (this game took place at Castleton State University in Vermont).  While the only thing that people usually see for any given team is the win/loss record, any athlete knows that a lot more goes into playing the sport then the given game.  Going on this roadtrip not only allowed me to see how far this team (along with all of the other sport's team with Plymouth) has to travel for away games, but the dedication that goes along with it. Below is the timeline that I amassed while I was on this road-trip, and needless to say, it was quite adventurous.

11:14 A.M.- We leave Plymouth en-route to Castleton State College for a 4:00 P.M. game.

11:28 A.M.- Head Coach Kristin Blanchette puts on game film of Castleton for the team to watch.

11:48 A.M.- It starts flurrying outside....it is going to be a loonnggg day.

12:30 P.M. (all times now P.M.) - The bus crosses the state-line into Vermont

1:10- A couple of the players, led by goalie Lorin Field, proceed to put on music that is heard throughout the bus.

1:31- After some songs that everyone on the bus seems to know besides myself, some classics come on such as Shaggy (It wasn't me), and unfortunately the Spice Girls (Stop) which I was guilty to knowing the words to.

1:45- The music is shut-off as Coach Blanchette starts to go over the scouting report with the entire team (who immediately answered every question that Coach Blanchette has).

1:51- The first signs of Castleton appear, as a sign for the college appears, and the scouting report continues.

1:54- The scouting report concludes.

1:58- We finally arrive at Castleton State College.

3:13- Upon getting ready for the game, the Panthers arrive onto the field for the first time.

3:23- The team stretch starts.

3:30- Upon stretching concluding, passing drills start as game time inches closer.

3:58- To the delight of both teams, the national anthem and team introductions show that the start of the game is within minutes.

4:03- The game against Castleton finally begins, almost five hours since we've left Plymouth.

4:03- Within 20 seconds of the game starting, McKenna Bay scores a goal after a sweet pass from Meghan McNabb. With that, the rout is on.

4:31- Amy MacDonald scores her 20th goal of the season after a nice pass from Shannon Connerty, and the score is now 9-2 in favor of the Panthers, only 19:10 into the game.

4:53- At halftime, the Panthers have a 12-5 lead behind five goals from Amy MacDonald, and a goal from junior Caitlin Swanson, who has scored in every collegiant game she has started in, besides the first game in her freshman year (28 straight games, 70 total goals).

5:52- Despite "only" outscoring Castleton 5-4 in the second half, the Panthers pull off the 17-9 victory to improve to a 5-1 record.

6:49- Upon eating a dinner that consisted of wraps and pizza, we leaves Castleton en-route to Plymouth.

6:54- Only five minutes on the bus ride back, junior Marie Lander threatens to kick Lorin Field's butt (sarcastically, of course).

8:16- While some players on the team sleep, others do homework as we re-enter New Hampshire.

8:50- After reaching Route 118 in New Hampshire, it starts snowing quite hard.

9:24- Despite leaving Plymouth over ten hours ago, we arrive back at school, luckily with a win.