Lacrosse midfielders Lauren Asher and Lauren Morris were named to the Big South Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team on Jan. 19.
Additionally, the Eagles were predicted to finish third in the Big South Conference, but Head Coach Julika Blankenship has said she doesn’t “look much into the ranking.”
“We have a very diverse and talented group, returning and newcomers. While Lauren and Lauren are beyond worthy of the recognition, I am so excited about many other athletes that will be worthy of conference accolades this season,” Blankenship said.
“Coming off of an injury, being named to the All-Conference Team definitely surprised me a bit, but I am very thankful and am excited for this season,” Lauren Morris said.
Morris, a senior, started all 18 games in the 2019 season, but her ACL injury prevented her from participating in the brief 2020 season.
“I have worked really hard this year to get my body back to where it needs to be to compete. Regardless of how my personal abilities are this season, I just want to finish this year healthy,” said Morris.
“Lauren Morris looks as strong as ever. Her ability to get to cage as well as distribute out of pressure is so fun to watch,” Blankenship said.
Lauren Asher, a junior, started in all seven games of the 2020 season, even opening with a career-high of six goals against Old Dominion and finishing the season with 16 goals and three assists.
“It feels great to be named Big South Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference. I am very proud of myself, and it feels really good that my hard work is paying off,” said Asher. “I always strive to be better every season.”
“Asher is a very tenured player with lots of experience on both sides of the ball that leads her team so impressively and is a threat everywhere,” Blankenship said.
With many scheduling obstacles this season, the Eagles are finally set to take the field at home on Feb. 13 against Wofford.
“COVID protocol and changes with testing policies amongst institutes and conferences are making scheduling the biggest challenge yet. Every day something evolves in terms of our schedule so everything is fluid,” Blankenship said.
Asher is most looking forward to playing against Mercer, a team listed twice on this season’s schedule, hoping to beat them after a tough loss last season.
“My freshmen year we beat them in a super close game, and last year we lost to them in overtime. They’ve been pretty equal with us skillswise in the past, and it’s always a really competitive game whenever we play each other,” Asher said.
It’s anticipated that fans will be allowed to cheer on the lacrosse team at home games but must sit opposite the athletes’ benches and will not be able to greet the athletes at any point.
“I am most excited for our first game and home opener against Wofford. Not necessarily because of the competition but because I am excited to see how our team performs against another team. Our first game will definitely be a testament for our future season,” Morris said.
Although excited to enjoy her short time left with all her teammates and coaches, Morris is sad to go after this semester.
“I will miss my teammates and just the overall team atmosphere that has been so great these past 4 years. I will definitely also miss all of the amazing College of Business professors I have had that have helped me along the way,” Morris said.
Off the field, the lacrosse team ended last semester with an impressive 3.549 GPA.
“I always demand that my team puts the time in the classroom that they do on the field. It’s not easy being a Division I student–athlete and I demand the most out of them in all aspects of their life, every day,” Blankenship said.
Ending 0-7 in the 2020 season, the Eagles hope their teamwork and dedication will bring them a more successful 2021 season.
“We have a lot of potential on our team this year. With 17 new freshmen added to our roster plus the solid group of returners, we have a lot of talent that I believe will take us far this season,” Morris said.
Photo by Wren Brooke
