One Crazy Busy Lacrosse Weekend

This past weekend was a crazy busy lacrosse weekend, even for me.  I recently promised myself that I would do my best to say “yes” and travel to as many of my daughter’s lacrosse events.  So, after three separate FLG Girls Lacrosse Practices at Long Island Lutheran High School, I began my third long car trip, in as many weeks.  The destination was Robert Morris University just outside of Pittsburgh, the site of an eleven team Fall Ball Play Day hosted by Robert Morris and its crosstown rival Duquesne.  I arrived at my hotel just before 9pm, in time to have a beer and watch the about 3/4 of the Clemson vs. Louisville Football Game, with my old neighbor, Clint Morano, who was there with lovely wife Janice, also to watch Women’s College Lacrosse the next day.

We arrived at RMU before 9am.  The Morano’s went to watch their daughter Natalie and her IUP Crimson Hawk teammates play their first game in the very impressive Joe Walton Stadium, while I went to the lower field to see my daughter, Diana, and the Mercyhurst Lady Lakers take on host RMU.  The field was very muddy but both teams slogged through it and performed well.  Both teams and the decent sized crowd did well getting acclimated to the 90 second possession clock, which will be in play this spring in NCAA Division I (next year for Divisions II and III).  The highlight of my day came during the break between games one and two.  Seeing best friends, Diana and Natalie welcome each other with a big hug, was worth a seven hour drive any day.

Plenty of good lacrosse followed with teams from near and far testing themselves and each other. I think every team had at least one tent and a following of family, friends and fans.  The tailgaters put out an impressive assortment of food and lots of TLC, all of which seemed greatly appreciated by the players.  While the lacrosse was highly charged and competitive, the overall atmosphere was almost festive.  Before the day was done, I had bumped into Pete Fallon and Marty Mahon.  Pete was a graduate assistant coach when I played at Cortland.  He and his wife were there to watch there daughter Taylor, who is a senior at St. Bonaventure.  Marty’s daughter Sarah once played with Diana and Natalie at a Prospect Day.  Sarah is a junior at St. Francis.

I left just after the Lady Lakers boarded the bus to head back to Erie.  Following my GPS, I took a long detour from Interstate 76 onto a more scenic route through the hills of western Pennsylvania.  It was a nice ride, almost relaxing.  Once again, I found myself reflecting and realizing how fortunate I am to be taking these trips, seeing old friends and of course seeing my daughter play and getting to spend some time with her.  So, what did you do this weekend?