Dear Lacrosse | Aubrey DeVeau

Dear Lacrosse,

You have changed my life. I cannot begin to express my gratitude that I have for you. You have brought so many amazing people into my life and have put me on the path that I walk today. 

If you would have told me back in seventh grade – when I picked up my first lacrosse stick – that I would have the opportunity to play at a Division I school, I would’ve said you were crazy. I was late to the game and I wish I would have found you sooner. Most of the girls I played with in middle school had been playing for a long time. I always felt like I wasn’t good enough for you. Everyone had already known you for so long and had already fallen in love. But those same people showed me what there was to love about you. 

I started out playing defense. One of my favorite memories was playing with my best friend. We thought we were undefeatable, protecting the goalie as much as we could and picking up every ground ball in sight. Even though I loved it, I still didn’t think I was in the right spot. It wasn’t until one day at practice the coach yelled “Who wants to try goalie?”. My eyes lit up and my arm shot up into the air. My coach saw one hand in the back of the huddle waving back and forth and said “Ok Aubrey, suit up”. 

I had been wanting to try goalie for a while now but never had the opportunity. Excitedly, I ran over to the mesh bag that contained the communal goalie gear that stunk from many uses and very little washing. At that age, there was a lot of equipment you had to wear. I threw on the clunky hard-shelled shin guards, baggy thigh pads, oversized chest protector and clanking helmet. Once everything was on and adjusted as best as it could be, I grabbed the gloves and stick and waddled into the goal. 

From that point on I knew that I wanted to be a goalie. There was no doubt in my mind. I loved the thrill of making the save and clearing the ball out. I loved the challenge of getting the next one after a ball snuck by you from a shot that opposing attacker took. I went home that day begging my parents to buy me a goalie stick. Finally, after more practices and actually playing in a game as goalie, they knew that was the position I would stay in and got me a stick. 

After that I played in numerous tournaments, attended a bunch of lacrosse camps and played on the varsity team at my high school. From there I was recruited to Niagara University. So far this has been my favorite experience of my lacrosse career. I am so thankful for this opportunity and for being able to attend this school. Not only did I get to expand my knowledge of lacrosse and what it means to be on a team but also, I was able to learn about the field of study that I love: geriatrics. If I had to go back, I would not change a thing. 

I battled a back injury my whole college career and it was difficult to not let it define me or affect my mood and playing ability. I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without the support of my teammates, trainers, and coaches. I am extremely thankful for the teammates I met in my four years of being on the team. I developed many life long friendships and got to see a lot of places and things I would not have been able to see if not for playing on the Niagara women’s lacrosse team.

I had the opportunity to support my team from the field and the bench on many occasions and I loved playing both of those roles. No matter where I was, I constantly tried to spread positivity and give all the energy I had into the task that I was given. Not everyday was perfect but If I had a bad day, I made it a goal to make the next one better. You can never change what you did the day before but you can always change the present or the future of what you do next.

I am heartbroken that I am not playing another year at NU with my teammates and coaches. I will miss the family that we built, but I am excited to see the strides they make on and off the field. I am excited to continue to play lacrosse in Australia and experience what it is like to play the game I love on the other side of the world.

Lacrosse, you have taught me so much and have created so many opportunities for me. I hope that someday I can give back to others as much as you have given me. You are a lifelong friend, and I am so glad you are on this journey called life with me.

Love always,

Aubrey DeVeau