ON THE SIDELINES: Three seniors hang up their lacross sticks

Penn women's lacrosse coach Anne Sage, whose stern countenance is usually the picture of self control, shed tears last night. Sage began to cry as she watched her three senior women's lacrosse players walk off Franklin Field for the last time. Though last night was a night like any other night for the terrific trio of Penn women's lacrosse -- senior captains Missy Hecht, Fran Maguire and Sabrina Walheim -- that doesn't mean it was not special. Much like many of the other contests in which they have competed over the last four seasons the Quakers lost, dropping their record over the last four years to 19-35. "These guys have seen the low times," Sage said. "And now they've seen a winning season. And through it all, they've been incredible leaders and great workers." The Quakers ended their season with a heartbreaking 12-11 loss to Lafayette, breaking their two-game winning streak, but it was not without another strong effort from their trifecta of stars. With time winding down and the Quakers trailing 12-9, Maguire took over. She stepped in front of a pass to start a fast break that ended with a goal by Walheim and brought the Quakers (8-6) within two. Then, with three minutes left, Maguire did it again. Maguire sent another pilfered pass to Hecht, who chewed up turf on her way to the Lafayette goal. Several quick passes later sophomore midfielder Jessica Gilhorn tucked it home. Penn pressed for the remainder of the game but could not get the equalizer. When the final horn sounded, Maguire ran off the field, head tucked into her shoulders, fighting off tears. "What can you say about these guys?" Sage said. "The leaders set the tone for us. That's exactly what Franny did tonight." Each had moments of brilliance during their careers. Hecht was second-team all-Ivy last season and honorable mention the two years before, and she has never missed a start in her four year. Maguire, too, has started every game as a Quaker, and if anything she will be remembered for her incredible effort against Lafayette in the last game of her career. "Franny was fantastic tonight," Sage said. "But then, she's been fantastic every night." Walheim has not earned the accolades of her counterparts on defense, but she has been solid throughout, competing in every game the past two seasons. "It's pretty sad to have played my last game," Walheim said. "I've played a lot of games here. It's tough to leave Franklin Field." Though Sage did her best to brush tears away from her eyelids, she missed a few. And that tells you everything you need to know about these three. "Penn lacrosse will miss these guys for sure," Sage said while blinking away tears. "It's been a great four years." Though they lost their final game, it was a collaborate effort from senior captains Sabrina Walheim, Missy Hecht and Franny Maguire that almost brought their team back from a five-goal deficit. Penn lacrosse will miss the trio for sure.