Limestone senior lacrosse captain Marissa Pesce is grateful for her student-athlete experience - and every teammate she has had during the past four years. Now, just hours before the all-American takes the field in the national semifinals, she tells each of her teammates why they are integral to the program.

Right now I can't function. I can't concentrate. I can't sleep and I can't eat. Okay maybe I can still eat but not as comfortably as I'd like to. The butterflies in my stomach have a tendency to swish together what I had for lunch and I don't like it one bit. I'm currently in the worst waiting zone that will ever exist in my quarter-life years. As much as we don't like to dwell on the past, there is a familiarity that touches us in a sentimental way. Nostalgia isn't always a bad thing. To know where we're going, we have to know where we've been.

It feels like just yesterday that we pulled up to Limestone, shaking in our cleats and wondering where the next four years would take us. We came from all over - New York, Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, and even recruited outside our own country; all with one goal in mind: to win a national championship. It's impossible not to admire the compelling story of a national champion. Now, that time is finally here for us to declare our victory, I have to sit back and wonder. Where did all the time go?

I was reading through my brain earlier today, which of course took me for a merry little stroll down memory lacrosse lane. We have imbedded our footprints on the field. Our scoreboard has never seen another team as a threat. The goal harks along with us as we chant our poem with the common notion that we all yearn for a happy ending. Countless sleepovers and late nights that turned into early mornings...(sorry about that one coach!). And most importantly the friendships that will continue on forever. So before we take the field for the most important game(s) of our career, I say congratulations to you, Lady Saints. You deserve it.

There is no way you can explain the significance of a lacrosse match to someone, but when you are in the midst of morning practices and games, there is a ritualistic bonding that happens surrounded by the things you learn, the mysteries you solve, the confessions you witness, and the grating teeth of being together 24-7. It's a celebration of the simple pleasures of life; friendships, athletics and good discussion, all in the environment on a lacrosse field. Our coaches are our very own directors and screenwriters in most of our games. They undercut their own existential concern either with absurd humor that provides a comic relief, or a harsh attitude of sprinting until the sun comes up. Although it contains a usual blend of comedy and seriousness, the game is played.

Like a puzzle, each individual player brings a sense of unity to the team. "Attacks got your back" is the motto that our attack players cheer. Kelly Lickert comes to the field ready to dance around her opponents. With her lean back shot and quick feet, her defenders are left under the disco in a Saturday night fever. Melissa Howard shoots with a drum roll that permits her stick to be the lead singer on its own stage. She lets her stick do all the talking. Our goalie Erin Cavanaugh however, allows her mouth to do all the talking. Just like our moms used to say, they have eyes behind their head... so does Erin. She see's everything on the field and makes sure that what she screams echoes and sticks hard to us like superglue.

The draw circle is Summer Ferraro's own steel trap. Near or far, her stick has a magnetic charge that any air ball cannot deny. Lauren Askerberg has the perfect psyche of knowing what else cannot be denied, and that is the recipe of a good laugh. She pitches a notable sense of comedy in situations needed when we need that encore of support. Terri Anne George is the "state of the art" marine, who goes to war with the groundballs on that grassy field. After escalating the battle, Lauryn Wise steps up to the plate as our pacer. As much as her skills are dominating, your eyes initially slow it down like in you're in the middle of a "re-united scene" in a movie to capture the perfection "in the moment" on an eight meter shot.

Shea Farrell is one of the coolest players to watch. She plays very different than the average lacrosse player. In an instant .02 seconds, the ball has already left her stick and is sinking in the back of the net and only with little movement. Katie Illiot strives on always giving 110%, even if she has to get her head covered and wrapped like a mummy. She is rewarded for her means to prevail and no means of quitting. Erin Growney, as a freshman came in fully prepared to help us to a successful season and has carried us in keeping a deadlock on our draw circle. For me, wearing the Limestone jersey is a gift. A gift I love to flaunt and sport, in highlight to the girls who wear it alongside me.

When I was an underclassman I remember being really sad when the seniors left. It was difficult to start the new season without them but as the season progresses things always sway together naturally. One thing I want to leave the team with is a smiling face telling you this: I enjoyed being able to watch girls grow into amazing players, and learn so many new things, whether it be on the field or off. One thing I take with me is new dance moves and funny accents. I'm sure the seniors agree with me when I express my deep satisfaction with our season. I'm ready to play a national championship game, and brag about my team for decades after it.