Will Menser, Contributing Writer
“Thump thump. Thump thump.” The notorious sound resonates throughout dorm rooms scattered around Asbury’s campus — wall ball — a game played by many of the lacrosse players as they sit idly in their rooms, waiting. You may also see them on the green or on the long sidewalk that stretches from Hughes Auditorium to the Miller Building, passing a small white ball back and forth with their outstretched lacrosse sticks. These men and women of Asbury wait for the spring season to begin and for games to resume, itching to get back out onto the field.
The teams practice throughout the school year, which is a long time that can leave players in a constant state of anticipation. Luckily, they won’t have to wait much longer.
Feb. 22, the women’s team plays its first official game of the season, followed by the men’s team the next day. The women will play at Hanover College while the men will take on Aquinas College in Wilmore. That weekend initiates an 11 match season for the men and a 12 match season for the women’s team, spread over the span of three months.
The schedule for both teams is extremely tough as they will play seven ranked teams combined. Playing through a similar schedule last year they struggled — the men’s team went 3-9 while the women’s team went 4-9 — but this year provides a new opportunity to build up the program.
Both teams are returning key veterans. Seniors Chandler Dobbs, Cullain Reneski, Alex Coile and James Merrill and junior Graham Ferrell will look to anchor the men, while senior Milcah Cobb and juniors Sarah Smith, Ashley Byrd and Allie Hoskins will lead the women.
“I am so excited for this season to be underway,” said sophomore Abigail Peklo. “We just had our first scrimmage, and we definitely have talent. To have a bigger student presence at games would make a world of difference to our game atmosphere. Now that we have our own field, we can really start making this program ours and bringing more life to it. But we need the student body to help bring life to the stands.”
With 11 home events between the two teams, including double-headers on March 7 and March 12, there are plenty of opportunities for students to show up and support our friends and fellow students. The support could be one of the key factors for this season.
For now, though, the teams are done waiting, scrimmaging and playing wall ball. They are donning the purple and white and are prepping for battle.
