Protect this house.
This house being Franklin Field, and protect being win — no matter what.
It’s something the women’s lacrosse seniors have done 29 times in 32 home games over their four years.
Wednesday against Princeton, Penn’s five seniors — Giulia Giordano, Keely Langdon, Carolyn Pollard, Lily Posner and Bridget Waclawik — will go for an even 30.
Even in defending their turf to perfection — their home Ivy record sits at 13-0 — this year’s seniors are “a quieter class than last year in how they lead,” according to coach Karin Brower Corbett.
“[Our class] has the quiet but strong confidence that will lead our team to our fourth Ivy League championship,” Giordano wrote in an email.
Waclawik embodies this work ethic. A nursing student and walk-on, Waclawik overcame multiple injuries — including two ACL tears — to become a huge contributor to the team this season.
“Our class leads by example,” Pollard, a co-captain, said. “For most of us, we’ve really had to go out there and work extra hard to see time on the field. Rather than just telling people what to do, we try to show them.”
Pollard, Posner and Langdon have worked exceptionally hard to increase their respective roles on the team. The three played in a combined eight games in their freshman season and are now regular starters for Penn.
Before and after today’s game, the seniors will be recognized for their contributions to Penn women’s lacrosse with flowers and a commemorative compilation of memories in video and picture form.
“It’s definitely going to be emotional because it will all flash back how much time we’ve spent, how much hard work we’ve put in,” Pollard said.
“Being on the team has been amazing, and I can’t imagine Penn without it,” Giordano added.
Emotional as the pre- and post-game festivities will be, the team knows it will still have to take care of business against a hungry Princeton team.
“Playing Princeton is always very exciting,” Giordano wrote. “It is a huge Ivy rivalry, and I remember every game against them. The seniors were actually reminiscing about plays from our freshman year and our first win against them today at practice.”
Penn Athletics is trying to boost student turnout for the crucial Ivy matchup with a pre-game event featuring a free barbecue and music.
And of course, a Penn win would extend its Ivy winning streak to 35 games, just one short of the all-time Ivy record held by Harvard.
Going out on a high note is important to this senior class. They’ll try to add to their already impressive legacy Wednesday by protecting their house against the encroaching Tigers. One last time.
