Charlotte 49ers women’s lacrosse is here, ready to set history, and it has been a long time coming for the birth of this program that the athletic department broke ground on building back in 2022.
“It feels awesome, so exciting,” said Head Coach Clare Short. “I feel like our heart rates are speeding as fast as possible. We’re so excited and can’t wait for us to showcase what our program is made of and the talent that we have and show it to all of Niner Nation.”
Chemistry focused foundation
Charlotte wants to ensure that they build the foundation properly in their first year, and that’s by making sure their goals in year one are laid out and achievable. Some of those goals include building a sisterhood with the team through team chemistry.
“Team chemistry, I think, is our biggest thing,” said Short. “I’ve been preaching that since the recruiting trips two years ago. But our team chemistry definitely has to be bonded and tight and secure off the field, so therefore, it’ll translate onto the field, and it’ll make us that much more successful for the year.”
Game one is the chance to celebrate all of the work they have put in so far but also begin to pave the way for where they want to take this new program.
“I’m so excited for our team to do this together and bring it all together and really channel what we’ve been focusing a lot on: sisterhood and bring that together. So it’s exciting to see that really kind of play on Saturday,” said junior midfielder Aly Prasinos.
The focus on ensuring the team plays together well does not change the fact they want to be competitive play to win early.
“We really want to be competitive in our conference,” said redshirt junior defender Lily Barger. “I truly believe that we can make the postseason tournament. How that works is they pick the top four teams, and I truly believe all of our transfer talent, having the eighth transfer class in the country, will prepare us for that and to really compete with the top teams in our conference and just kind of make a statement.”
Talented transfer class
Charlotte, in their quest to define what they want the program to be, has brought in a transfer class of 14 players, which is ranked as the eighth-best transfer class in the nation. They all bring unique experiences from other programs, and Coach Short must blend those experiences to define what Niners lacrosse will look like.
“We have 14 transfers, which is crazy, and just having to navigate everyone’s old systems or old tendencies I thought would be a little more difficult than what it really was. But I think everyone just kind of came out here with a clean slate and just ready to buy into this program, buy into us coaches. They’ve done a great trusting each other and respecting each other, and it’s been a great success for us,” said Short.
The major mix of transfers allows for a lot of growth for each player as they can lean on each other’s individual experiences and how those will bleed into shared experiences throughout this inaugural season.
“I think it’s actually really cool that we have transfers from all over the country, and we get to bring on different perspectives to the game," said graduate defender Gianna Cutaia. "Everyone on the team, all the transfers, are so knowledgeable. We get to make our culture here. We’re starting the foundation of making a culture here. I think the biggest thing we’ve all learned is that positivity and encouragement have been a big component of this preseason and even in the fall. It’s just really cool to see how we can blend together and be amazing out on that field together.”
Every day is historic
Being the newest program on campus, each time the team takes the field, history is being made and instead of adding to the history books, this team gets to craft the history.
“I think it’s the coolest thing ever I say that all the time,” said Prasinos. “I think it’s such a blessing to be able to do that. I think it’s such a unique experience that no one else has to be able to set [history] every time we come out here; it’s something new, and we’re either setting a record or doing something no one’s ever done before it’s really something special.”
This first team will forever be looked at as the program grows and blossoms; this is the birth of a legacy and a chance to inspire those who could become future Niners.
“It’s amazing," said Barger. "I feel like being the first team ever, you know, you’re building that foundation and building that legacy for other girls. Showing everyone what Charlotte lacrosse is about, and you know we’re new, but that’s the amazing thing because you can just kind of start fresh and just build something, and it’s just super awesome to be a part of history, and I'm really honored to be here.”
Firsts honorees
The 49ers’ first season has two transfers holding the title of team captains, with Prasinos as one and Claire Schotta as the other, to help foster some of the leadership. Being one of the first captains will go down in the Niners' history books for these players, but they will not let that blind them to the fact that it takes a whole team to succeed and lead.
“I mean [being a team captain], it’s great all the girls, we all work together and everything,” said Prasinos. “It’s a collaborative unit. It’s a great honor. But I think it’s all of us coming together that makes it special.”
Preseason accolades came for Barger, making the Preseason All-AAC team, becoming the first player in program history to earn that honor, and getting to do that for her hometown team.
“I’m really honored, you know, being from Charlotte it just means more for me, and transferring in here has just been awesome,” said Barger. “I’m just really blessed to be where I am today and to be the first [preseason honoree] one ever is just amazing. I'm blessed to be considered. I've worked really hard, but I’m not just gonna stop working now. I feel like now is where everything begins and to just build that foundation and just our team chemistry has really come together and everything we’ve been working for has come together so we’re really excited for the first game.”
Inaugural game is here
After two and half years of building this program and waiting for the chance to play and compete, the time is finally here for Charlotte women’s lacrosse.
“It’s super exciting,” said Cutaia. “We have all been waiting for this moment. Our coaches have put two years into this. All the girls who are freshmen have been waiting for two years; for transfers, we’ve been waiting for a few months. It feels super surreal that fact that it’s finally here.”
The first game in program history starts at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs.
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