On Tuesday, Apr. 28, the Lindenwood women’s lacrosse team will be competing in the ASUN Tournament Quarterfinals against the No. 5 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.

Last Wednesday, the Lions solidified their spot as the No. 4 seed in the Atlantic Sun Conference after a 16-13 victory against the Austin Peay Governors. With many newer and younger players on the team, Lindenwood’s record wasn’t as strong compared to their previous season, but the team has still fought hard and has high hopes going into the ASUN Tournament.

“I would say we’re really physically conditioned, even though not all of our games turned out in our favor. We still fought all the way to the end, and something our coaches always say is we never get dropped, and our team is a team and never gives up,” senior goalie Elizabeth Goth said. “As we’ve trained and practiced throughout the season, every one of us has been physically able to play all 60 minutes of our games versus say 45 or 30. As we adapted all through the season, we were all able to play full games.” Goth said.

The Lions had a very busy but also productive training season, as the team would lift weights four days a week in the fall semester, two to three days a week during the winter and spring semester, and the same with many running exercises throughout.

Athletic Performance Coach Collin Kohlasch feels those workouts have prevented injuries; allowed the players to be faster and stronger, and even allowed them to have the skill sets to play more than one position, whether that be midfield in addition to defense, attack in addition to midfield, and keep games close or even make comebacks if the team was trailing in a game.

“This season, everyone pushed themselves 100%,” Sophomore Defender Olivia Godbout said. “Our team got stronger as the season progressed; we all got more physical, as opposed to bumped out; more prepared with ground balls; better coverage on opponents; sharper passing communication; and better shooting.”

Overall, this season has been a tougher season for the Lions, finishing with their first losing record since being in the D1 era. Injuries, including to the starting goalie and team captain Goth, were a contributing factor.

Same with older players not producing as in years past. But with the experience the younger players, backups, and players as a whole have been gaining, the team as a whole has felt more prepared throughout the rest of the season, including entering the ASUN Tournament, and potentially the NCAA Tournament.

This has included a colossal come-from-behind 10-9 victory against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers after trailing 6-2. The Lions have been striving to make their remaining season a comeback one, also, and as a whole, finish with a bang.

“As the season continued, we responded differently to training, adjusted our game chemistry styles, enhanced our attacks, and revamped our game plan through every game we had. We all throughout have paid very close attention to detail, and applied those in every change-up we would make and every additional approach we would infuse,” Kohlasch said. “Our ultimate goal is winning the ASUN Tournament, and winning this Tuesday will get us one step closer.”