Just like their male counterparts, the Fairfield women’s lacrosse team has also had to deal with finishing its season without its star player.
Beth Loffredo ’06, the 2004 MAAC Player of the Year and this year’s preseason favorite for the honor, was forced to have surgery a few weeks ago after suffering a torn meniscus in her knee. The injury came as a great surprise to Loffredo, who said she did not feel any pain until two days after guiding the Stags to an 11-10 victory over Wagner during spring break.
“I had never had any problems with it and there was no swelling,” she said. “I thought it was just my hamstring.”
After discovering the severity of her injury, Loffredo admits it brought her to tears to think of being unable to take the field with her teammates. Although she coaches on the sidelines and works on recovery through physical therapy, ultimately it is just not the same for her.
“I know we have a lot going for us this season,” Loffredo said. “We are so good and can go so far, but now I’m just not a part of that on the field.”
Her teammates are also starting to feel the impact of her absence on the field, as they’ve gone 0-6 since her injury, including a 14-12 loss at Siena on Sunday.
While the team is composed of a majority of underclassmen, the Stags refuse to blame their recent setbacks on youth and inexperience.
“Even though we are a young team, we realize our full potential and stay positive,” said Lara Hannigan ’08. “It’s definitely disappointing to lose any game, especially one in our league, but there is plenty of room for improvement.”
Coach Stacey McCue also feels that despite the team’s youth, it is still worthy of a quality MAAC standing.
“[Youth] may have been a factor, but we are not going to use it as an excuse,” McCue said. “All the teams in the MAAC are strong this season. Every game will be a challenge, but I believe our team will be up for it.”
As the Stags prepare to take on Niagara at home Saturday, McCue will look for her team to step up to the challenge and to Loffredo for great leadership on the sidelines.
While Loffredo is more than happy to assist the team in such a capacity, she joked that her coach is only allowing her to do so under one condition.
“She said I could help coach as long as next year I return to player status,” said Loffredo.
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