With well-coordinated play,
Fight through the third division

College of Arts and Sciences 4th Grade
Women's Lacrosse Club
Graduate of Rissho University Rissho High School

Torii Makio

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Joining the women's lacrosse team with no prior experience

In high school, I didn't belong to any clubs and spent my days attending extracurricular activities. Perhaps as a reaction to that, I decided to join a club in college. Since I like physical activity, I was looking for a sports club and was invited to join the women's lacrosse club. I was attracted by the good atmosphere and the fact that they welcomed beginners, so I decided to join.

I enrolled in J. F. Oberlin University College of Arts and Sciences because I hadn't decided what I wanted to do when deciding on my career path in high school. Over the course of four years, I was thinking about finding the field I wanted to study.

12 players will compete in the third division.

The women's lacrosse team achieved their long-awaited promotion to the third division by winning the promotion/relegation match last December. However, at the same time, key players graduated, and this year the team has no third-year students.

When the new team was formed, we held a discussion with all the members, including the underclassmen. Our goal was to participate in the promotion/relegation playoffs to the second division, while also ensuring we remained in the third division. I think that having a clear direction for the team made it easier for us to dedicate ourselves to lacrosse.

Lacrosse is a sport where 10 players participate in a match, but this year the women's lacrosse team only has 12 players. Since we need to give playing time to the first-year students who joined without prior experience, we have been working on training and strengthening the physical fitness of the first and second-year students from spring to summer. In the third division, the opposing teams have strong defenses, and low-scoring matches are expected. Every point can decide the winner, so we are approaching each match with even more tactical awareness than last year.

There is no single right answer when it comes to leadership.

I am currently in charge of leading the team as captain. Last year, I was led by seniors who were willing to work hard, but I decided that "there is no single right way to lead. I should just be a captain in my own way," and I strive to challenge myself in everything I do in daily practice. While it is important to make the team stronger, I also try to create an atmosphere where the younger players think, "Lacrosse is fun!"

One of the great things about the girls' lacrosse club is that communication among members is lively. While they usually practice seriously, outside of club activities, they sometimes talk about love while eating together. In matches, I want to show good teamwork and show cohesive play. I want to give my all in matches to show the tenacity that J. F. Oberlin University is typical of.

Interview date:
This was done in June 2024 for the "Obirin Sports" website.

With well-coordinated play,Fight through the third division

Main content

Joining the women's lacrosse team with no prior experience

12 players will compete in the third division.

There is no single right answer when it comes to leadership.

Related content

With well-coordinated play,
Fight through the third division