The new season for the Wittenberg's women lacrosse program is right around the corner, and it's bound to be a pivotal season. Many might consider it a rebuilding period for the program. A new coaching staff will begin their first season--this, after previous head coach Becca Joseph resigned last June.
The team is coming off a 4-11 overall record last season, with a 0-6 conference record, extending their drought for a conference victory, which they last achieved during the 2019 season at Hiram College. However, head coach Daniel Shields has a positive mindset for his first season.
"I'm looking forward to improving the girls that we have, improving their skills, improving their IQ and improving their chemistry and the way they play together on the field," Shields said. He praised his players for their hard effort in the weight room, improving their strength and conditioning. He further noted some challenges in building chemistry within the players throughout the offseason, with multiple players being dual athletes playing other sports during the fall, as well the process of the players familiarizing themselves with Shields. Coming up to the beginning of the season though, Shields feels that his players are starting to mesh and play together well.
Shields wants to maintain a culture of positivity for the team this season, envisioning a wiliness for a family environment where the players care for each other, as well as pushing each other to be the best version of themselves. He calls this season's group very tough and admires their desire to never give up, noting that they play every minute of every game hard, regardless of what the outcome is looking like at that point.
What defines a successful season for Shields? "Everybody has a different look on successes, and success isn't always about winning," Shields stated. "I believe success is improving the athletic experience that the girls have and bringing back their passion and love for the game." He further reiterated his focus on developing a family bond and positive culture. By improving on those areas first, outcomes and wins will start to take care of themselves.
Senior team captain Alyssa Burnside holds a similar viewpoint in building team chemistry. "This season, I want to see the team work as a cohesive unit. In previous years, we've struggled with this," Burnside said. The team has put a further emphasis on both attack and defense working together for goals, defensive looks, plays and transitions, in turn creating a stronger, more connected unit.
As a senior, Burnside wants to feel fulfilled with how she ends her career, with her one of her biggest goals being to win a conference game. Her biggest motivators are her teammates and coaches, as well as her family, who have been her support system since her first days playing lacrosse.
"Having a strong drive for success fuels my determination to leave everything on the field every time I step onto it."
Junior team captain Aubrey Stager wants to see her teammates play with determination. "Having a strong mindset makes all the difference on and off the field," Stager said. "It greatly reflects you as a player, and also as a person, so I think it would be a really good shift if we all stayed mentally tough and driven."
Stager emphasized team chemistry on the field, wanting her teammates to be able to read each other. She desires for the group to pose more of a threat to the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), as their conference has great gameplay and skill and wants the program to pose a more serious threat to their competitors.
Stager's biggest motivation is the desire to get better as an athlete. "I always strive to improve in at least one aspect of the game every year because it's really exhilarating to be able to say that your hard work is paying off." As a junior, she has two more seasons as a college lacrosse athlete, which motivates her even more to be the best player she can be.
The women lacrosse program begins their 2026 campaign Saturday at Ohio Northern University at 1 p.m. The team looks to begin their new chapter and showcase their hard work and the newfound chemistry they've built over the offseason.
