Women's lacrosse’s first game canceled due to potential COVID-19 case

Chapman’s women’s lacrosse’s first game of the 2021 season was canceled April 3 after its opponent, the University of Redlands, faced a COVID-19 protocol setback. Panther Archives

The sun was shining. Flowers were in full bloom. Birds warbled from their tree perches. Because at long last, Chapman’s women's lacrosse team was finally set to play its first game in over a year April 3 against the University of Redlands.

Then the game was canceled. 

In a year of COVID-19 setbacks, another emerged, as the game was canceled due to “COVID protocol within the Redlands lacrosse program,” according to Chapman Athletics.

“At first it was super disappointing, but it’s also the world that we’re living in with COVID,” said Aisling Roberts, a senior attacker on the team. “We’re super bummed out, but we’re also super bummed out for Redlands, because health comes first and it’s not a nice situation to be in.”

Roberts is optimistic the game will be rescheduled as the team continues its season. Its next game is still scheduled for April 16, one week after the initial cancellation, but the status of that contest is unknown — meaning intrasquad scrimmages leading up to game day would have no payoff for some time. 

“We like to look at the positive side at all times in practice, even when we’re feeling a little down,” said Corinn Valeri, a sophomore midfielder. “When we learned our game got canceled, a lot of us were disappointed, but (we thought) this is a great opportunity for us to practice even more and come out stronger when we do get the chance to play them.”

While COVID-19 can strike and be spread quickly — the cancellation likely indicates some sort of outbreak within Redlands’ program. Valeri said Chapman’s team hasn’t had any COVID-19 scares and is confident in its safety measures. 

“(We’re) getting tested as often as the school is telling us; we show our COVID results every day before practice,” Valeri said. “We’re really good about only seeing each other and only our housemates, and if we do see other people outside of our team and housemates, we wear masks at all times.”

The strict attitude toward health and safety was mandated by head coach Dan Kirkpatrick at the beginning of the season. If players didn’t want to abide by Chapman’s health and safety procedures, they were given the opportunity to not participate in the season. 

“We took a good amount of time at the beginning of spring to talk with the team about the COVID rules and what was expected of them,” Kirkpatrick said. “We wanted to make sure everyone was on board and agreed with the team rules, so that has set the tempo.” 

Ultimately, the lacrosse team’s entire season hinges on Redlands being cleared to play, as they’re the only other team participating in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play this season. 

“Our team is incredibly optimistic that the rest of the season is going to go on seamlessly, but you never really know,” Roberts said. “If everyone follows COVID protocols, I don't think there will be any more outbreaks.”