As the women’s lacrosse team kickstarts their season, a crisis arises, there is a lack of referees to officiate the games. Women’s lacrosse programs from the SWAC conference are adjusting to this predicament by hosting super-site games. Instead of a school hosting one game each day, 2-4 games are played in one night. Not only are game times affected, but so are the entire functioning of game day. These alterations to the function of the lacrosse season no doubt impact the team, but does it have the ability to impact team performance?
To describe supersite games better, it means that multiple games are played in one night. The referees during these events only have to come in that night but have to work almost all evening. With 2-4 games played in one night, these referees could work hours as lengthy as 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. These supersite games also mean that you may not even play the host school’s team. For example, last week the women’s varsity lacrosse team played at Panther Creek, but against Green Hope.
Consequently, the team is on the road more often. They only have 6 home games this season compared to the usual 8 or 9. The team has to travel to other schools more frequently. Head coach, Anna Jarnagin, reflects on the difficulties of traveling to other schools more often.
Jarnagin explains, “We do not have buses this year, so it is on the team to carpool with each other. Which creates a problem, especially for our JV team which is primarily underclassmen.”
There is something to be said about home team advantage, with familiarity of the field and the energy from the fans and home announcer, playing at home is certainly a special experience. Coach Jarnagin understands the repercussions that the lack of home games may have on team performance, although she hopes that it doesn’t have too much of a negative impact on the way the team plays. But what is more telling is the thoughts of the players on the team.
Senior captain, Reese McElreath, has firsthand experience of leading a team through the twists and turns. She emphasizes that not only the lack of home games, but also the untraditional function of away games, may put a damper on the team’s performance or morale. As a captain, she has a role to play in combating this difficult situation and encouraging the team.
McElreath describes her best strategies, “I think, as captains, we try to enhance as much positivity as we can to boost team morale. I think just boosting that positivity makes it easier to play these games.”
This strategy has succeeded in bringing the team together and encouraging all players to have energy going into each game. But this solution isn’t always enough as this referee shortage comes with even more consequences; the lack of referees instills a bit of desperation that leads to the acceptance of some refs who aren’t as qualified for the job. The SWAC would hate to turn away an applicant to be a referee considering their dire need for more refs. Although most refs are experienced and qualified, there is a common theme of referees not being as qualified as in previous seasons. Reese McElreath reflects on the impacts of this on the team but continues her positive attitude.
“Especially because we are seeing some of the same refs over and over who maybe haven’t gotten the full coaching experience they are sort of put into this role and haven’t got the feasible skills and/or know all the rules that they should.” McElreath concludes, “So it’s important that we roll with the punches and know that we can only control ourselves and not outside factors.”
This referee shortage may pose challenges to the women’s lacrosse program but the Green Level women’s lacrosse team is fit and ready to take them on. Through the management of Coach Jarnagin and the positive leadership of Captain Reese McElreath, the women’s lacrosse team stays resilient. Can’t wait to see what else the lady gators will accomplish this season!
