Photo courtesy of Allie Ruggiero.
The Lady Bees are starting preparations for the 2025 season. A lot changed in the seven months since the SAU Women’s Lacrosse team last stepped onto the turf together such as restructuring their conference to roster changes and other differences.
Last season, the 9-3 Lady Bees ended their season at Benedictine College in the Heart of America Conference Championship. “I always hoped my college career wouldn’t end on that field.” Recent alumni lacrosse player, Delaney Austad says. “Losing to your rivals for your final game is never a way to go out.”
Looking forward to this year, the Lady Bees finished up their fall season. Junior captain, Morgan O’Malley, says, “I think the fall went really well! We all worked really hard at practices. Our fall games did not have the outcomes that we wanted, but it made us more aware of different things we need to work on.” The Bees played two games against NCAA Division III teams, Carrol University and Aurora University.
“Even though we lost,” says sophomore defender Abby Vanderwarren, “we were playing really cohesive as a team and were able to really connect with each other, despite losing so many people.”
The Bees graduated five key players at the end of last season and lost two more by the time their fall season was over. “With the loss of players, it will definitely take a toll on the team due to not having the extra legs that we are used to,” Morgan says. “However, I think we will be able to push through it and play to the best of our abilities.”
The team did bring in five freshman who players say have already made an impact on the team. “Scoring my first college goal has got to be a highlight of the year.” Freshman midfielder Karsen Jummati says. “It helps when I have an entire team behind me. I dropped my stick and the whole team swarmed me in celebration! We really are like family.”
Other players pay similar attributes to their teammates and team aura. “Our team dynamic is amazing!” says sophomore attacker Katie McGlynn. “We all bond and work very well with one another and push each other so much to be the best of the best. We support each other throughout everything on and off the field.”
The team uses traditions like the Wombo Belt and Queen Bee Crown to keep up moral and help keep the team close. Senior captain Anabelle explains, “The captains award the ‘Wombo belt’ to the player who the captains think played the hardest! Last year, we also started the Queen Bee crown which is awarded to the girl who we believed to keep her head high and cheered on her teammates.”
A major hurdle the team will face this year is a reconstructed conference. With the disbanding of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, the Heart Conference gained four new teams for St. Ambrose to play. “The reconstructing will definitely be interesting. These are teams that we have never really played before, which is hard to tell how the team plays.” says Abby Vanderwarren.
“They also added teams that have a good record which will make the conference more challenging, but it will help us grow as a team. We definitely have girls they should be afraid of.”
One of the key players to watch out for this season are senior attacker Anabelle Brown. Last season, Anabelle led the team with 38 goals and 13 assists. She is also dominant on the draw with 50 draw controls. Another key player is fifth year defender Abby Taaffe. She had 31 groundballs and 26 caused turnovers last season.
“Our goal this season is to finally put Benedictine in their place and bring home that championship trophy,” says Brown, “and the trip to Georgia for Nationals isn’t a bad plus.” Many players stated that beating Benedictine is what motivated them to put in extra work during this off season.
Another player says, “Something that motivates me the most is my teammates. The way we all push each other to be the best we can motivates each girl to work their hardest and to keep pushing even when it gets hard.”
Coach Katie Baranski says, “I am extremely excited about our upcoming lacrosse season! Our program has a good group of student-athletes who have dedicated a lot of time this offseason to improve. I can’t wait to see their hard work pay off on the field.”
In terms of the conference changes Coach Katie says, “It is exciting to see our conference expand, and I am excited to see some new competition! I think we are gearing up for an amazing lacrosse season.”
The Lady Bees open their 12-game season on February 28 at 4pm against Missouri Baptist University at St. Vincent’s Athletic Complex.
Raegan Dotterer is a staff writer for The Buzz.
