Colorado State’s three-time national champion women’s lacrosse team is set to begin its season.
The Rams, who boast five Rocky Mountain Women’s Lacrosse League championships on top of their national titles, are looking forward to another great season.
“I think this will be one of the strongest seasons we have ever had at CSU,” coach Lindsey Hudek said.
CSU won national titles in 2008, 2010 and 2011, before placing second last spring.
“It was unbelievable, a great experience,” said senior Sarah Langlie. “Last year we came in second, which was rough, but we are really looking forward to giving it all this year.”
There are nine seniors and six juniors on the team with experience in winning a national title, giving the Rams an advantage at another shot this year.
In addition to the upperclassmen, there are seven freshmen and five sophomores, eager to win a title.
“We will have a lot of building growth,” said Hudek. “But I don’t want to have growth year, I want to transition right into it.”
The new players have big shoes to fill; the team has finished in the top ten for the
Women’s Colorado Lacrosse Association every season since it started.
Langlie and the rest of the seniors are focused on avenging last season’s second-place finish and reclaiming the national title.
“UC Davis beat us in the Championship last year, so we are looking forward to a second chance,” said Langlie. “We want to win it again.”
Besides that chance for revenge, the Rams play CU-Boulder and BYU this season, both big rivalries.
“We play Boulder at home this year,” said Langlie. “We are really looking forward to having our fans there.”
Hudek is confident that students who come out to support her team will not walk away disappointed.
“Students who come to games will have a lot to watch,” said Hudek. “Teams in our league are really incredible, but our girls have a lot of fight.”
The season begins this Saturday with a double-header at Regis University. The first game, at 9:30 a.m. against Colorado Mesa, will not affect the team’s record. At 12 p.m. the girls will take on Air Force Academy in hopes of kicking-off the season with a bang.
“We want to bring the title back to CSU,” said Langlie. “It’s going to be a great season.”
