Senior Weekend

Senior weekend. Enough said. There are so many emotions packed into those two words. For seniors it means playing their last home games at Hendrix. For underclassmen it means showing how much we have cherished our role-models and friends. Last weekend the seniors played their last two home games at Warrior field. Accompanied by friends, family, cafeteria ladies, and a special warm-up mix, we took the field and defeated Sewanee 1-0. Tay scored our lone goal within six minutes of the first half assisted by Kay Shay (who, according to Brian “Sent a rocket off the keeper’s pad”). The majority of the game was spent on their half of the field in the circle. The fourth in a series of wins, we moved to Sunday excited and prepared to play.

After our game we had a small shindig with our families catered by Zaza’s, (which was delicious, in case you were wondering) complete with presents for the seniors and cake. We had scrapbooks printed for each senior that included pictures from their freshman through their senior years: part one of the senior gifts. Following the soirée Liz, Mags, Mamma DesPain, my mom, and I went over to the locker room to decorate. The next morning the seniors were met with pictures, balloons, streamers, and puzzle-piece bracelets. Pumped and ready to go we walked out to the field to meet a fence decked out with cups spelling “senior day” and bleachers full of friends and family members.

Senior day was finally here. So much stress but it was worth every second to see the girls we care for like sisters smile. I choked back tears as Brian read. I was doing really well until I looked down the line of seven girls standing beside me, our team for next year. We have been blessed to play with an amazing team; an unstoppable, beautiful team. I have played next to my best friends, fought with every fiber of my being and win or lose I have felt fingers grasp the empty spaces between mine and I have experienced tears, laughter, encouragement, and friendship. The last three years have been an incredible ride.

Going into the second half down a goal has been a challenge for our team in the past, demonstrated by the second goal DePauw put in the cage. However, the real proof that we are moving forward as a team came about ten minutes into the half. In an exciting game-turner Heather tied the game, off of a corner, lighting a spark that led to another goal by Lexy not three minutes later. The remainder of the game was a fight to the finish, ending with two 7 v 7 sudden-death overtimes. Unfortunately in the 93rd minute DePauw slipped one into the cage, ending the game with a final score of 3-2. As we walked off the field we held our heads high, knowing that our team had left everything they had on the turf.

Love,

The Hendrix Field Hockey Team
(Lauren)