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KUTZTOWN, Pa. (April 23, 2011) – Justine Simonsen (Hatboro, PA/Upper Moreland) promised she wouldn't shed any tears during a touching pre-game senior day ceremony before the Kutztown University women's lacrosse team dropped a 14-4 decision in its season finale against Georgian Court Saturday afternoon at soggy Keystone Field.
As juniors Leann Pica and Megan Schwar (Alpha, NJ/Phillipsburg) spoke from the heart with funny stories, Simonsen couldn't resist. Her tears added to the already moist grass. She received a nice gift bag from head coach Sarah Greer along with gold-and-maroon balloons and flowers. Her teammates presented Simonsen with a nice and large colorful picture of Simonsen.
“I didn't think I was going to cry,” Simonsen said. “Everything they said was so nice and I appreciate everything they said. It touched me a lot and I am going to miss everything next year.”
Simonsen has meant so much to the KU lacrosse program that her presence will be missed on and off the field. Her storytelling was cherished during many long bus rides. A special education major, Simonsen will focus on student-teaching, which she will do in the fall. She has been a trailblazer for Kutztown because she was only remaining player from the initial women's lacrosse team in 2008.
Simonsen impacted all of her teammates. Pica stated during her pre-game tribute that, “what you've been to this team is more than a player, more than a captain, and more than a senior. You've been something that has no real title.” Known as the “Ms. Everything”, Simonsen was the rock of the Golden Bears this season. If you wanted a question answered, Simonsen was the person everybody turned to.
She finished her sterling career for the Golden Bears with 86 ground ball pick-ups. Simonsen worked hard on defense and provided leadership and guidance for a young and talented bunch of Golden Bears. Although Simonsen is taking off the sacred white home uniform for the final time, she feels at ease knowing that the KU women's lacrosse program is in excellent hands.
“It was a tough four years,” Simonsen said. “We keep growing, but we're not near where we need to be so it's been a tough four years. It's bittersweet. I definitely believe the best is yet to come for the program. I am going to miss everyone and the sport. I am not done with it though because I am going to look into coaching opportunities in the future.”
Emily Solt (Bowmanstown, PA/Concord) scored two goals to lead Kutztown, which finished with a 5-12 overall record. Pica and Jen Dunne (Chalfront, PA/Central Bucks South) also scored for the Golden Bears, who took several steps forward during the season. The program is headed in the right direction. Although Simonsen is huge loss for the team next season, Kutztown has everybody else returning in 2010.
Freshman keeper Joann McLaughlin finished with eight saves. Randy Vite (Highland Mills, NY/Monroe-Woodbury) was everywhere for the Golden Bears to lead them with six ground balls and three caused turnovers. Marisa Kaonde also had three caused turnovers for Kutztown. For Georgian Court, Ryan McGrath had five goals as the Lions extended their winning streak to 12.
However, this day was about celebrating and honoring the career of Simonsen. So while the Golden Bears were disappointed with the final result, they all know that better women for having had the experience of playing with and interacting with Simonsen.
“She's been a great captain and great leader for the last three years,” Schwar said. “It's really hard imagining being on the field without her next year. I don't know what I am going to do without her because she's usually the one that keeps me level-headed. Very calm and bringing everybody back down and keeping everybody in check. Every bus ride we've had has been a good memory with her.”
--KU--
