Lyco wins for the new baby!

Lycoming women’s lacrosse beats Manhattanville Wallenhorst breaks all-time points record

3/29/08 WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team (5-3, 2-0) defeated Middle Atlantic Conference opponent Manhattanville (3-4, 0-1) by a score of 21-6 on Saturday at Shangraw Athletic Complex. Senior Lady Warrior Megan Wallenhorst (Rochester, N.Y.) broke the school’s all-time scoring record with her 235th point on a goal at 27:45 in the first half. Wallenhorst had three goals and an assist for the afternoon, while sophomore Christi Karr (Lansdale, Pa.) recorded four goals and an assist. Junior Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) scored three goals with two assists and Kelly Mack (New Egypt, N.J.) had three goals and one assist. Goalie Kristina Peacock (Webster, N.Y.) took the win with 16 saves and four ground balls in 55:43. Wallenhorst’s record-breaking goal put Lycoming up 1-0. Manhattanville’s Cory Alcorn, who finished the game with five goals and an assist, scored 14 seconds later to tie the game. But consecutive goals by Justine Titko (Wrightstown, N.J.), Laura Carpenter (Lewes, Del.), Sammi Jo Bell (Maple Shade, N.J.) and Mack put the Lady Warriors ahead to stay. Manhattanville scored just once more in the first half and Lycoming went into halftime leading 12-2. For the game, Titko and Carpenter had two goals, as did Crystal Cody (Rochester, N.Y.). Sophomore Michelle Murray (Media, Pa.) scored the final goal of the game off of an assist from Ashley Collins (Westminster, Md.) with nine seconds left on the clock. Coming into the game, Wallenhorst was tied with former Lady Warrior Brenda MacPhail on Lycoming’s all-time points list. Wallenhorst, who broke the all-time goals record last season, scored the 200th goal of her career on March 21 against St. John Fisher. The Lady Warriors travel to King’s College on Wednesday, April 2 for a 4 p.m. start. It will be their third conference game of the season. Congratulations to Lycoming head coach Kara Reber and assistant coach Matthew Reber on the birth of their daughter Kylie Lynn.

Kara has her baby!

Alex's lacrosse coach had her baby on Thursday morning. A beautiful baby girl. Details will follow, but here are some pictures. I'm sure that's she's glad it is here! There should never be any problems finding a baby sitter with 30+ girls involved with the team. Chris was so pleased to hear that Kara was expecting and I'm sure she would have been going to the very next game to see her!

CONGRATULATIONS TO KARA AND HER HUSBAND MATTHEW!

After Easter

Well this was a very hectic weekend! Started on Friday, I flew to Buffalo, NY in the morning, drove over to Rochester and hooked up with my good friend Rich. We then went to watch Alex's lacrosse game against St. John Fisher. It was a bad game for Lyco as they lost quite bad. It was a non-conference game but it still hit them hard. It was great because I got to see Alex start the game too!

Afterwards Alex came with us back to Rich's and we spent some time there and eventually went out for some wings later that evening. We then met up with her coach and Alex road back to school that evening. I flew home Saturday afternoon and then Alex and Jon (one N) drove home for Easter.

We had some family come over to the house on Sunday. Michael really wanted to be home and have baskets and all that. The day was very sunny but cool. It was nice getting together. Alex and Jon drove back Monday morning and I got back to work.

Tyler and Mike have off again today... They've been busy around the house. In fact, Michael spend 5 hours doing laundry yesterday!

The pictures here are from the Lycoming Relay for Life program that was held last weekend. The lacrosse team had a table set up and there were luminaries set u around the indoor track. The placed on in honor of Chris.

Holy Thursday

Last night was a horrible evening for me. Michael went to Deep Creek Lake with some friends and is skiing until Friday. Last night I had a lacrosse meeting and Tyler was at practice. During the meeting he called me and asked if he could spend the night with a friend and I said sure.

After my meeting it really hit me that when I got home no one was going to be there and it would be me all alone. This loneliness is really starting to creep into my life at times. Last night especially. I left my meeting and went to a restaurant for dinner. I finally got home and did some work on the pc and internet and eventually made it upstairs to bed. I laid there for quite awhile. It was really hard.

Tonight Ty was selected to have his feet washed as part of the Holy Thursday celebration at church. It is quite an honor to be one of 12 out of a huge congregation. Mass was nice and really makes you realize what Easter is all about.

Tomorrow I fly to Rochester NY to watch Alex play at St. John Fisher. I'm staying overnight with Rich and flying home Saturday.

I actually called Rich from the bar last night and talked to him for awhile. It helped.

Happy Easter to all...

Alex makes the writeup!

Lady Warriors win first conference game at Arcadia

3/16/08 GLENSIDE, Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team (3-2) won its first Middle Atlantic Conference game of the season by defeating Arcadia University (1-1) by a score of 19-8 on Sunday. Senior Megan Wallenhorst (Rochester, N.Y.) led all scorers with five goals, while adding five assists and 3 draw controls. Senior Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.) notched six assists for the afternoon. The Lady Warriors rushed to a 7-0 lead seven minutes into the game, including two goals each by junior Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) and sophomore Justine Titko (Wrightstown, N.J.). Arcadia found the net at 23:01, but Lycoming sophomore Megan McIntyre netted her second goal of the day just 15 seconds later. The Lady Warriors scored three more times before the half, including goals by sophomore Alex DeWitt (Frederick, Md.) and freshman Laura Carpenter (Lewes, Del.). At halftime the score was 11-2 in favor of Lycoming. Arcadia opened the second-half scoring with two goals, but Wallenhorst scored three times in just under four minutes to put Lycoming up 14-5 at 19:02. Carpenter scored again and dished two assists down the stretch, while Titko scored back-to-back goals on assists from Carpenter and Wallenhorst. Titko finished with four goals, while Carpenter had two goals and three assists. Lycoming goalie Brittany Bryan (Petersburg, N.J.) played the entire game between the pipes, recording the win with 13 saves. The Lady Warriors host Susquehanna on Wednesday, March 19 at 4:30 at Shangraw Athletic Complex.

Buff State Write up

Lady Warriors defeat Buffalo State, even record

3/15/08 WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team (2-2) defeated Buffalo State (1-1) by a score of 18-13 on Saturday at Shangraw Athletic Complex. It was the first home win of the season for the Lady Warriors. Senior Megan Wallenhorst (Rochester, N.Y.) and junior Kelly Mack (New Egypt, N.J.) scored four goals each for Lycoming, while junior Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) had three goals. Wallenhorst, Wingerden and sophomore Megan McIntyre (Baltimore, Md.) notched two assists apiece to share the team lead. Buffalo State started the scoring less than five minutes into the game, but two quick goals by Lycoming’s Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.) and Wingerden made the score 2-1 in favor of the blue and gold. The Lady Bengals answered, but consecutive scores by McIntyre put the Lady Warriors up for good, 5-4, with 16 minutes remaining in the first half. Mack increased Lycoming’s lead with a strong move and a goal at 15:31, but Buffalo State scored less than three minutes later to keep it within one at 6-5. Then the Lady Warriors went on a run, scoring five consecutive times. Wingerden converted off of a Wallenhorst pass and Wallenhorst herself scored twice in a row, on assists from McIntyre and Wingerden. Mack scored with just under eight minutes left in the half and Wallenhorst converted a free-position shot to make the score 11-5 with 6:43 to go in the first. After a brief drought, Buffalo State’s Shantel Ackley made a successful free-position shot which was quickly answered by Lycoming’s Christi Karr (Lansdale, Pa.) at 1:42. Lady Bengal Katie Henderson scored on another free-position opportunity, but Wallenhorst found the net just 18 seconds later. Ackley then hit Buffalo State’s third-straight free-position goal to make the difference 13-8 Lady Warriors at halftime. Justine Titko (Wrightstown, N.J.) and Mack made free-position goals early in the second half, while Sammi Jo Bell (Maple Shade, N.J.) scored off of a McIntyre assist to re-establish Lycoming’s biggest lead of the game at 16-10. Mack again showed athletic determination, shaking a defender and bearing down on the goalie before finding the net at 8:41. Wallenhorst scored with 2:35 remaining to make the final tally 18-13. The Lady Warriors travel to Arcadia for their first conference contest tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Tribute to Chris

The Maryland & DC Credit Union Association paid a very nice tribute to Chris this morning. Mike Beall is the CEO and writes a weekly column for their newsletter entitled Mike's minute. Here is a link to the site: http://www.mdcul.org/minute.html

This comes a day after I drove up to Arcadia University on Sunday. The boys did not want to go to watch Alex play lacrosse again, but I did. And as a parent with a child in collegiate sports you do whatever you can to get there. So I left them at home with a long list of chores and drove the 3 hours over to North Philadelphia by myself.

Alex played quite a bit. She also plays defense and rarely has a chance to go past the restraining line. Yesterday another defender stole the ball near the goal, cleared it out to the side and Alex broke to the center of the field for another clearing pass. She got it and turned and started to run up field, and run, and run, and run.... She didn't stop. Went through a few defenders and shot and scored! The entire bench erupted in cheers. I was so excited to get a chance to witness her goal. I couldn't hold back the tears though because I know that Chris would have bee elated on the sideline. This goal was for her!!!

As you can see Alex wears pink shoelaces in her cleats in honor of her Mom. She's easy to pick out in the crowd of people that are fighting for the ball. This just goes to show you that if you can make it to a game, then you go. If I had missed this I would be so upset. Seeing it brought a ray of joy into my life.

More pictures can be found here on my Web Album.

Lyco wins on Saturday

The boys and I packed up the car on Saturday and drove up to watch Alex's team play vs. Buff State. The weather was pleasant and after the win there was a nice tailgate party for the team. The men's team also played later in the day and we were able to stay and watch 1/2 that game. We left for home around 4:30 and back home by 7:00. A loooong day. It was great getting a chance to watch her play. It's not the same without Chris there though. She was always so proud of Alex's accomplishments.

Lady Warriors defeat Buffalo State, even record

3/15/08 WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team (2-2) defeated Buffalo State (1-1) by a score of 18-13 on Saturday at Shangraw Athletic Complex. It was the first home win of the season for the Lady Warriors. Senior Megan Wallenhorst (Rochester, N.Y.) and junior Kelly Mack (New Egypt, N.J.) scored four goals each for Lycoming, while junior Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) had three goals. Wallenhorst, Wingerden and sophomore Megan McIntyre (Baltimore, Md.) notched two assists apiece to share the team lead. Buffalo State started the scoring less than five minutes into the game, but two quick goals by Lycoming’s Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.) and Wingerden made the score 2-1 in favor of the blue and gold. The Lady Bengals answered, but consecutive scores by McIntyre put the Lady Warriors up for good, 5-4, with 16 minutes remaining in the first half. Mack increased Lycoming’s lead with a strong move and a goal at 15:31, but Buffalo State scored less than three minutes later to keep it within one at 6-5. Then the Lady Warriors went on a run, scoring five consecutive times. Wingerden converted off of a Wallenhorst pass and Wallenhorst herself scored twice in a row, on assists from McIntyre and Wingerden. Mack scored with just under eight minutes left in the half and Wallenhorst converted a free-position shot to make the score 11-5 with 6:43 to go in the first. After a brief drought, Buffalo State’s Shantel Ackley made a successful free-position shot which was quickly answered by Lycoming’s Christi Karr (Lansdale, Pa.) at 1:42. Lady Bengal Katie Henderson scored on another free-position opportunity, but Wallenhorst found the net just 18 seconds later. Ackley then hit Buffalo State’s third-straight free-position goal to make the difference 13-8 Lady Warriors at halftime. Justine Titko (Wrightstown, N.J.) and Mack made free-position goals early in the second half, while Sammi Jo Bell (Maple Shade, N.J.) scored off of a McIntyre assist to re-establish Lycoming’s biggest lead of the game at 16-10. Mack again showed athletic determination, shaking a defender and bearing down on the goalie before finding the net at 8:41. Wallenhorst scored with 2:35 remaining to make the final tally 18-13. The Lady Warriors travel to Arcadia for their first conference contest tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Hoping to go see Alex

We are hoping to go and see Alex play this weekend. She's home on Saturday and away near Philly on Sunday.

Lady Warriors edge Eastern for first win of season

3/12/08 ST. DAVID'S. Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team (1-2) edged Eastern University (0-1) on Wednesday by a score of 11-10. It was the first win of the season for the Lady Warriors. Senior Megan Wallenhorst (Rochester, N.Y.) led Lycoming with three goals and an assist. Junior Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) scored two goals, while senior Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.) had a goal and an assist. The game was Eastern’s first of the season and their first since the graduation of All-American Kate Hoy. Nonetheless, the Lady Eagles were the pre-season pick to win the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, much like the Lady Warriors were the favorites to win the Middle Atlantic Conference. Midway through the first half, the score was knotted 3-3 until Eastern found the net at 6:06. However, Lycoming reeled off six-straight goals into the second half, including two by Wallenhorst, to secure a 9-4 lead with 25 minutes left. The Lady Eagles scored twice before Wallenhorst hit her third of the day to make it 10-6. Eastern went on a run, scoring four-straight in an 11 minute span to tie the game 10-10 with 11:37 left on the clock. The teams held each other at bay in the later stages of the game, with Lady Warrior goalie Kristina Peacock (Webster, N.Y.) notching 10 saves on a busy afternoon. Then Lycoming sophomore Christi Karr (Lansdale, Pa.) netted the deciding goal off of a Wallenhorst pass at 6:43 to give the blue and gold the lead for keeps. Eastern's Erin Reimel had three goals on the day, while Jessie Basch and Grace Griffith had two goals and two assists apiece. The Lady Warriors host Buffalo State on Saturday, March 15 at 12:30 p.m. at Shangraw Athletic Complex. The game will by followed by a Lycoming men’s lacrosse contest at 3:30 p.m.

Six Months....

I've never been one to "celebrate" 1/2 year anniversaries or birthdays, but today is a bit different. Six months ago today in the early morning hours Chris left us for a better place. I miss her dearly and the pain of losing her has continued to grow inside of me each day. Thanks to the love and support of friends and family we have been able to continue on with our lives in this house, but the void left in us is present every day...

We miss you sweetheart and want you to know that Alex is doing well, Tyler and Michael are making progress, and I'm doing the best I can with what you taught me! Time will tell but for now we take each day as it comes.

We love you.

A lacrosse present for Chris

Went by the cemetery today and was thrilled to see that someone had gone by and left a present for her. A TJ Teddy Bear wearing a Go Patriots T-shirt was left there and around it's neck was a scarf made of Red White and Blue.

Well I know exactly who left this (Jan!) and it is a wonderful gesture. The scarf is actually a small piece from a larger scarf that Chris made for Jan back a few years ago when Alex was playing high school lacrosse.

I know a lot of you are still thinking about Chris as I know that I do! The 6-month anniversary of her passing is coming up in a few days. Not necessarily something you celebrate but certainly a day that you make sure to think of Chris and the impact that she made on your life, and the community...

Lyco loses 2nd in a row!!

3/8/08

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team (0-2) fell to Montclair State by a score of 15-13 on a cold, rainy afternoon Saturday at Shangraw Athletic Complex.

Sophomore Amanda Baker (Media, Pa.) led the Lady Warriors with three goals. Megan Wallenhorst (Rochester, N.Y.), Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.) and Kelly Mack (New Egypt, N.J.) each scored two goals for Lycoming.

Montclair drew first blood, but back-to-back goals by Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) and Suit gave the Lady Warriors an early 2-1 lead. Montclair regained the advantage with two quick goals, but Wallenhorst tied the game off of a Wingerden assist at 17:52 in the first half.

Montclair reeled off four straight goals before Lycoming sophomore Megan McIntyre (Baltimore, Md.) scored to make the tally 7-3 with 11:53 left in the half. The Lady Red Hawks found the net two more times before Wallenhorst converted a free-position shot, starting four consecutive Lady Warriors goals which made the score 9-8 in favor of Montclair State at halftime.

Lycoming sophomore Christi Karr (Lansdale, Pa.) found the net off of a McIntyre feed to tie the game early in the second period. But four straight Lady Red Hawk goals put Montclair up for good.

The Lady Warriors never gave up, with Baker scoring at 12:16 and Mack converting twice in the final eight minutes. Sophomore Justine Titko (Wrightstown, N.J.) made it a one-point contest with 24 seconds remaining, but Montclair scored 11 seconds later to put the game on ice.

Lycoming travels to Eastern on Wednesday, March 12 for a 4:30 face-off.

Lacrosse takes over the household!

Well now that March is here lacrosse has taken over the DeWitt household. Alex's team in college is doing well. They lost their season opener last night in double overtime. She played about half of the game and overall was pleased with her performance and the team's. Next game is Saturday and the boys and I are trying to go up to see her.

Michael plays lacrosse on 2 teams. The 1st is the Spires Lacrosse . He is in his 3rd year playing in this league. I'm the president of the club and have been pretty busy with registrations, uniforms, and regular team meetings. I like being able to see the club grow. This year we have close to 200 players! Up from 155 last year. His games are on Saturdays with practices on Mon/Wed. His 2'nd team is a select team called FastLax from the Frederick area. He practices on Sunday afternoons and is really enjoying this. It's more physical but the skill level is much higher and that helps him a lot. Games will be on Sunday after the season begins in April.

After a month of preseason practices and a week of tryouts Tyler found out yesterday that he was one of about 6 or 7 Freshman that made the JV Lacrosse team at his high school. He worked really hard to make the team and this was a great sense of accomplishment for him. Of course that means practice and/or games every day of the week!!!

So as you can see Spring will be a very busy time for me here. Sometimes I just can't be in 2 places at one time and many parents have helped out by bringing the boys to or from practice.

Me? I'm okay. Busy. Feeling a little better but in dire need of losing some weight. I guess I'll try and squeeze that in sometime...

See you...

Lycoming Loses Season Opener in Double OT

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team lost its season opener to Ursinus on Wednesday by a score of 15-14 in double overtime.

Lycoming was led by senior Megan Wallenhorst’s (Rochester, N.Y.) six goals, including four of the Lady Warriors’ final six goals. Sophomore Megan McIntyre (Baltimore, Md.) had three goals, while juniors Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) and Kelly Mack (New Egypt, N.J.) scored two goals apiece. Senior goalie Kristina Peacock (Webster, N.Y.) recorded an impressive 26 saves for the game, including 12 in each half of regulation.

For Ursinus, Elizabeth Cannon had six goals, while Lisa Clark had five. But Catie Cameron’s goal 2:49 into the “sudden death” second overtime period ended the back and forth battle.

The Lady Warriors started the game with two quick goals. McIntyre took the opening draw and scored unassisted just 18 seconds in, then Wallenhorst found the net 18 seconds later off of a feed from Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.). Almost seven minutes later, Wingerden converted a free-position shot to put Lyco up 3-0.

But the Lady Bears did not give up, as Clark scored twice within a minute, then Cannon scored to tie the game before the halfway mark of the first period. Goals by Lycoming’s Amanda Baker (Media, Pa.) and McIntyre were both answered by Clark and, with 10 minutes left in the half, the score was locked at five.

Wallenhorst and Wingerden each scored to put Lyco up by two with less than six minutes remaining before halftime, but Cannon and Hannah Kuranz converted in the last 4 minutes to make the tally 7-7 at the break.

In the first seven minutes of the second half, Cannon scored twice and Clark scored, but Mack kept Lycoming close with a goal at 27:58. A Wallenhorst goal and another Ursinus goal set the score at 11-9 for nearly 10 minutes until Wallenhorst converted twice in the last two minutes of regulation to send the game into overtime.

Ursinus led 14-12 with 1:38 left in overtime and, shortly after, Lycoming got its fourth yellow card of the contest, forcing the Lady Warriors to play down a player for the remainder of the game. Head coach Kara Reber pulled her goalie and focused on offense. The plan worked, as McIntyre scored with 45 seconds remaining and Mack converted 16 seconds later to make it 14-14.

The eighth tie of the game set up a 3-minute “golden goal” second overtime. Still outnumbered, the Lady Warriors held off the Lady Bears for 2:49 before Cameron's game-winning goal found the net.

Lycoming’s next game is against Montclair on Saturday, March 8 at noon at Shangraw Athletic Complex.

Lyco ranked 1st in preseason poll!

This came in on my birthday. A nice surprise! Their 1st game is Wednesday and the boys and I are hoping to go up and watch Saturday's game in Williamsport.

2/19/08

ANNVILLE, Pa.- Lycoming College has been selected as the favorite to win the 2008 MAC women’s lacrosse championship, according to a poll of conference head coaches.

Lycoming landed five first-place votes and 67 total points to earn the top spot in the preseason ranking. The Lady Warriors went 14-4 overall and 8-3 in the MAC last season for third place in the conference.

Lycoming defeated Scranton 25-13 in the first round of the conference tournament, setting a school post-season scoring record. The Lady Warriors then lost a tight 14-12 game in the semi-finals to the eventual MAC champions Drew University.

After graduating just one senior last year, Lycoming added six newcomers to a roster of seasoned stars. Returning first-team regional All-Americans Megan Wallenhorst (senior, attack, 66 goals, 14 assist) and Sarah Wingerden (junior, midfield, 43 goals, 13 assists) will lead the blue and gold attack. Solid depth and talented youth will be keys to the 2008 Lady Warriors’ success.

Elizabethtown (13-4) and Messiah (7-9) were the only other MAC squads to receive first-place votes. E-town was selected second in the coaches’ poll with 65 votes and three first-place votes, while Messiah received 56 points and one first-place vote. In 2007, Elizabethtown went a perfect 10-0 in the conference, before falling to FDU-Florham, 11-10 in overtime, in the conference tournament.

2008 MAC Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll

1. Lycoming 67 pts. (5)

2. Elizabethtown 65 pts. (3)

3. FDU-Florham 62 pts.

4. Messiah 56 pts. (1)

5. King’s 43 pts.

6. Widener 39 pts.

7. Manhattanville 28 pts.

8. Wilkes 25 pts.

9. Arcadia 20 pts.