Women’s lacrosse season sees another game cancellation

The women’s lacrosse’s four-game schedule this season features three matchups against the University of Redlands, but the most recent was canceled due to a Redlands roster issue. Above, Chapman senior attacker Aisling Roberts rushes towards the goal. Photo courtesy of Larry Newman

Down and up and back down again the roller coaster goes.

The first dip in Chapman's women’s lacrosse team’s season came when its April 3 game was canceled due to a potential COVID-19 case. But soaring elation came when they had the chance to step onto the field again April 17 in a 16-15 win over the University of Redlands. 

But an unexpected drop in a turn ahead might once again leave the team’s season up to chance.

Women’s lacrosse’s April 21 game against Redlands was canceled, due to an injury on the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) rival’s roster. In a normal season, a simple injury wouldn’t carry such weight. Yet, due to the hit COVID-19 has had on their program, Redlands ended up being one active player short of the amount necessary to compete.

“It's a little bit of a disappointment just being told that we're going to play and then getting (the game) canceled,” said Corinn Valeri, a sophomore midfielder on Chapman’s team. “But everyone's been keeping their heads up about it.” 

Stephanie Schoppe, Redlands’ sports information director, and Suzette Soboti, Redlands’ head women’s lacrosse coach, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.  

Chapman junior attacker Aisling Roberts was also disappointed, but understood that the situation was out of the team’s control. 

“If it was another COVID situation, then yeah, that would’ve been very disappointing,” Roberts said. “But it was more of an injury standpoint, so there’s nothing they could’ve really done.”

The last time women’s lacrosse had the chance to compete against Redlands April 17, the game went down to the wire in a thrilling back-and-forth affair. 

“We really pulled it together,” Valeri said of the team’s play. “We had some rough moments on defense and some offensive plays that we couldn't quite string together a goal, but in the end we definitely pulled through and it was definitely a team effort.” 

No matter what might happen the rest of the season, head coach Dan Kirkpatrick feels that getting the win was a great reward for the team’s seniors, competing in their last season.

“We had an awesome opportunity to celebrate our nine seniors who’ve given so much to our program,” Kirkpatrick said. “To be able to do it in front of family was also really special. (I’m) so excited about the win and excited at the opportunity just to compete.”

Whether the next part of this season’s track is a sky-high climb or a freefall, Kirkpatrick is happy with the work the team’s done to simply get back onto the field — to have the chance to take the ride again. 

“These players have dealt with something that no one has ever dealt with before,” he said. “Their commitment to the team, their commitment both on the field working hard — but off the field adhering to all the rules that we established as a team, adhering to all that stuff — has been absolutely amazing.”