Spring Break
'Lacrosse'-ing the bridge to success
Max Jabbonsky
Issue date: 2/19/09 Section: Sports
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A former star player at Northwestern, McMahon has been relentless in her attempt to transform the program's losing culture into the championship level that she has become accustomed to, noting the importance of positive coaching and creating a competitive atmosphere.
"There is always a winner and a loser," McMahon said. "In practice we try to make that clear. We play little games and try to make the team more and more competitive."
This way of thinking has reached the players, who are excited to be led by a coach with a winning pedigree. They are eager to put last season's struggles behind them and become competitive in the Big East immediately.
"A huge difference this year is that practice is always intense," said goalie Jenna Moulton, a two-year starter who will anchor the defense. "She never lets people slack off in practice. You need to bring your 'A-game' everyday."
An increase in the team's intensity on a day-to-day basis should garner positive results during the season, as McMahon said, "We will be preparing just as hard, if not harder, than every team we play. That's definitely an advantage."
"She has high expectations for our team and refuses to let us settle for mediocrity," said Whitney Michele, one of the team's captains. "She makes us better through her coaching, teaching and from playing with us."
Junior midfield Laura Eichert echoed Michele's thoughts, saying "The biggest difference from last year to this year is our attitude. [McMahon] has prepared us so we expect to win."
In order to do so, they will lean heavily on a talented group of attackers, led by Michele, Kim McGinty and Katy Ryan, who provided bright spots in an otherwise gloomy 2008 season.
"Hopefully, we'll score a lot of goals," McMahon said. "Our first few games are going to be all about ourselves, playing our game and minimizing turnovers."
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