THE date was set, the preparation over, weeks of planning were now behind them and it was time for the players to step up to the stage for the season ending Varsity competition.
Matches, or indeed days do not come much bigger on the University stage than that of Varsity. Every player is representing hope for the thousands of students who attend each University, and all they can do is play their hearts out in the hope that they can win their leg of the tie.
With just five miles separating Staffordshire and Keele, their rivalry matches any in the country and it brought about one of the best mixed lacrosse matches either University has ever seen.
From minute one the two teams were trading goal after goal with neither side able to generate a convincing two-goal cushion. That was until the final quarter when Staffordshire used one final surge of energy to take the initiative and move three goals clear, but Keele never backed down and the tension remained until the final whistle.
Those three short blows, which concluded the match, brought about such a contrast in emotions between the two teams. For Keele there was sheer disappointment, having come so close to victory. But for Staffordshire the high pitch sound had never been met with such relief, such jubilation as what was experienced by the squad that day.
The tired legs, and exhausted lungs were instantly forgotten and it was celebration time in what was to become one of the best days in the team’s university life.
In the end, they had won the Varsity shield by just two goals after putting their heart and soul into representing the University they are so proud to be apart of.
However, after such a high quality game it was always going to be mixed lacrosse, which was the real winner. Unlike many games, there was not a feeling that mixed lacrosse was second to men’s or women’s.
This was the only opportunity there was to prove themselves on the day and with so much pride involved for both teams, losing was not an option that either side wanted to take.
Staffs captain Carly Edwards said: “There was so much pressure put on me and the team to win the game, having never lost a mixed match at Varsity before, I didn’t want to be part of the losing team.”
She added: “The atmosphere and the excitement of the game did the world of lacrosse proud. As I was playing I could feel the tension in the supporters and I think they really enjoyed watching the sport.”
With very little media coverage in the United Kingdom, it is days like those of Varsity, which the sport can rely on to help raise its popularity in this country. As a result of the watching the match, two players have committed themselves to signing up for the sport in September, proving that the viewers the sport can get, the more successful it will be.
It is because of this that there was such disappointment from both teams about the decision to scrap the tie of men’s lacrosse from the Varsity fixture list. Staffordshire in particular are in need of new players, and what would have been a great recruitment opportunity was taken away from them by the Student Union at Staffordshire.
When asked for reasons behind the exclusion of the game the Union refused to respond, but Staffordshire’s men’s captain Jamie Armstrong said: “I don’t believe it was fair for it to be absent from Varsity. Both Keele and us have established teams and were eagerly anticipating the match.
“Awareness of lacrosse needs to be boosted in all universities, and this was an easy way to do just that. Although the mixed game is a great sport, it would have been appropriate to play a men’s fixture in front of such a crowd as well.”
Both clubs will benefit from the match for a long time to come, as they look back and gain confidence from such a performance. However, for the players involved, the day and the celebrations will live long into their memory, for the day soon became the best of their University lives.
Having seen their hard work pay off, it was time to cheer on their fellow students in the other sports taking place throughout the day.
This all culminated at Newcastle Town stadium with a football match to decide the fate of the overall Varsity trophy. The scores were tied at 6-6 between the Universities going into the game, and with 10 minutes left the football was level at 1-1. However the tournament was changed in an instant when, five minutes from time Staffordshire took the lead to send the crowd went into ruptures.
This cued the start of the celebrations as Staffordshire University regained the cherished prize in the closest ever Varsity competition. Coaches were put on for students to travel back to the Union to celebrate the victory and for the grand prize giving.
On picking up the lacrosse trophy Edwards said: “I will never forget the emotions I experienced. I cannot describe what it felt like to pick up the trophy in front of the Staffs supporters, all I can say was it was the best feeling of my life.
“It was such an amazing and memorable day for everyone involved, I just hope we can repeat it for next year.”
Although a Varsity day is special in its own right, it is always important to remember the reason behind why each specific competition is set up.
For Staffordshire it is run in memory of a late student, who tragically passed away while socialising with his team. All that can be said from this year is that once again, every player who took the field was a credit to his memory and did him proud.
Long may this tradition continue.