The National Collegiate Athletic Association announced the cancellation of all remaining winter and spring sport championships on Thursday, March 12, in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 around the country.
For the Hofstra University women’s lacrosse team, this marked an unfortunate end to a big season for the program.
“It’s devastating just because we feel we were having such a great season,” said head coach Shannon Smith. “We had a lot of expectations and goals for this season.”
One of those goals was to win a Colonial Athletic Association championship game, which the Pride lost to James Madison University in the final match last season.
The Pride ended this season with a 4-3 record led by their senior class, which includes many of Hofstra’s all-time greats.
Senior Alyssa Parrella led Hofstra with 216 goals and 292 total points over her four years, establishing herself as the program’s leading scorer and the only Pride player to reach the 200-goal milestone.
Darcie Smith ranks first in the program’s history in draw controls with 207, and classmate Alexa Mattera comes in second in draw controls with 182 as well as 10th overall in goals, scoring 104 over four years.
“[They are] great players but even better people and better leaders,” Shannon Smith said. “It’s devastating for this team as a whole, and also the senior class for their seasons to end this way.”
However, following what would be their final match of the season, a 20-10 loss against No. 20 Boston College on Wednesday, March 11, the Pride saw it coming.
“I think our players were starting to expect it because that night on the way home from Boston College we saw that the NBA suspended their season and other things happened. So you just wondered if there was finally going to be that trickle-down effect,” Shannon Smith said. “It was really tough having that conversation last Thursday in our locker room. Having that conversation of ‘Hey, right now our season’s on hold.’”
But while many collegiate athletes, coaches and fans across the country are disappointed with the sudden end to sports, the Pride is trying to remain positive.
“We have to be able to look back at the memories we have created and the bonds that we did create since August [and] September of being with one another, and being thankful to be able to at least get the opportunity for that,” Shannon Smith said.
With no one knowing the end date or overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shannon Smith said she supports the decision to cancel the season, despite being disappointed.
“In the bigger picture, obviously it’s the right call. The most important thing is the health and safety of our student athletes, of our coaches, support staff, fans, families [and] administration,” she said.
Hofstra University moved all classes to an online format beginning Monday, March 23, and asked all students living on campus – including athletes – to return home in an effort to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“Right now, it’s just stay home, stay healthy. Enjoy time with your family and let’s not worry about the game of lacrosse right now,” Shannon Smith said.
As COVID-19 spreads worldwide, the Pride recognizes this pandemic is about more than their season ending.
“We’re a part of a bigger team now, and … right now we have to do our part in trying to keep everyone else safe and healthy,” Shannon Smith said.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
