On Jan. 21, Lauren Morris, McKenna Blick and Mia Creighton’s dedication, effort and excellence earned them spots on the Big South Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team.
“It is a nice feeling knowing our hard work has paid off and we are excited for a great season,” Morris said.
This is not Morris’ first recognition for lacrosse. Just last season Morris, a (now) junior midfielder from Ohio, earned the Big South honor of First-Team.
Morris excelled with a total of 73 points for the season and 27 assists, the most in both categories for the entire team, with her highest scoring game against Gardner-Webb on April 6, 2019 with 8 points.
“Our team lives by the quote, “Win the Moment”. If we focus on winning each individual moment, then we will come out with a victory,” Morris said.
With scattered wins throughout the 2019 season, the Eagles had a five game winning streak at one point, but it sadly came to an end when they lost 6-17 against High Point on April 20. The Eagles finished the season with an overall record of 8-11, and 4-2 in conference.
After a successful match during the Big South Tournament, their reign ended yet again against High Point. On the plus side, this second defeat shortened the gap with a final score of 10-17.
On the field, Morris describes herself as a “team player,” loving how being a college athlete means “being a part of something bigger than [her]self.”
“Playing a sport gives you a second family and it is good to know that you have an entire group of teammates and coaches by your side,” Morris said.
As a healthcare management major, Morris finds being an athlete comes with benefits other than playing the sport she loves.
“Being a part of a team has increased my leadership and teamwork skills, which are important skills to have outside of lacrosse,” Morris said.
Creighton, a sophomore from Maryland, is an attacker on the field. During the 2019 season she raked in 45 points, 7 being the largest amount in a single game against Presbyterian College on April 10, 2019.
Creighton was Big South Conference Freshman of the Year and earned Second-Team Honors for the 2019 season.
McKenna Blick, junior attacker, who is also from Maryland, felt “proud and motivated when [she] was recognized” for her accomplishments on the team.
Blick, a sports management major, states she would probably play field hockey if she had the chance to experiment outside of lacrosse.
“I think playing various sports makes a player more dynamic and a better athlete,” Blick said.
Similarly being interested in other sports, Morris did not start practicing lacrosse until the seventh grade, playing basketball and soccer beforehand.
“I know that if I never started playing lacrosse, I would have continued playing basketball,” Morris said.
Music and spending time with family is a popular pastime before and after a game for both Blick and Morris. Listening to their favorite tunes calms them down before they hit the field, whereas catching up with their family is the best way to celebrate a triumphant game.
Being known for her integrity on the field, Blick is now captain for the 2020 season.
“I have always looked up to Mia Hamm, she is humble and works relentlessly hard to get better and for her team to get better as well,” Blick said.
Blick earned a sum of 50 points last season, the second most points on the whole team. Similar to teammate Creighton, Blick’s best game was against Presbyterian where she scored 6 points. She also had a total of 13 assists for the season.
“I love competition, being a college athlete is always about being a competitor,” Blick said.
A Big South Women’s Lacrosse Poll lists Winthrop coming in second this 2020 season, but the team knows that with passion, teamwork and focus, anything is possible. Their season opens on Feb. 15 with a home game against Old Dominion at 1 p.m.
Photo provided Winthrop Athletics
