Skudalski Recaps Senior Game Experience
12/4/2014 2:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
On November 22, 2014, senior tri-captain Lauren Skudalski competed in the 2014 Victory Sports Tours/NFHCA Division I Senior Game at College Park, Maryland, where she was chosen as one of the top 38 seniors in Division I Field Hockey. Here is an account of the weekend from Lauren's perspective.
Normally when going into a game, I know our opponent, the formations they play, and who their top players are; however that Saturday was anything but normal.
Upon arrival, we were assigned and quickly introduced to our team and coaches. But those introductions were not enough to get to know each other, which lead to a frantic attempt during warm-up to learn each other's names. Fortunately, I had some familiar faces on my team since I was playing alongside the three other women representing the Ivy League: Emily Corcoran (University of Pennsylvania), Shannon McSweeney (Brown University) and Ali Savage (Dartmouth College).
Although team chemistry was found amongst my fellow teammates because we were all in the same situation: a senior playing in her last collegiate game. With that commonality, the game itself was fast-paced, with beautiful plays and individual finesse on both sides despite the fact that this was the first time we were playing together.
Regardless of the score, I could not have been more honored to be chosen to take part in this incredible experience. During that game, I was representing Columbia and all that our program had accomplished this season, while playing with some of the best players in the country. More importantly, I was so excited to see some of my fellow teammates and coaches in the stands; and it was in that moment that I realized the lasting relationships that I had made over the past four years. Even though they were not on the field with me, playing in an exciting game with my teammates cheering me on was the perfect way to end my collegiate career.
