By Aaron Heller \/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hood College women’s lacrosse team finished its non-conference play with a 4-4 record and has turned its focus to MAC Commonwealth Conference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The roster, built around 15 underclassmen and eight upperclassmen, is the Blazers’ youngest team in the last couple of years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Year in and year out, the Blazers find themselves on the outside of the four-team playoff picture, typically finishing in fifth or sixth. However, Blazers coach Emily Barber believes this year is the year to break the streak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are at an awesome place right now with our team culture and our team expectations,\u201d Barber said. \u201cI truly believe that this will continue to help us fight for a playoff spot this year because we have a ton of talent; we just need to put together a full game and be ready to fight against some top teams in our conference.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With strong teams at the top of the conference, such as York College and Messiah University, the Blazers aim to clinch the four-seed spot and beat out Widener University for the first time in school history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the last two seasons, Hood has fallen just one game short of clinching a spot in the playoffs, having lost to Widener both times. Hood is 0-12 when playing Widener University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA big thing I believe in is confidence, which we need to have, and we have a solid game plan on both the attacking and defensive ends, so if we stick to that, it will be a great game for us,\u201d Barber said. \u201cWe are playing them at home this year, which will definitely help.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coach Barber has reiterated one message throughout the entire season that the team needs to play with: \u201cConfidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barber said she continues to remind them that they are stronger when they work together. “Our message this whole season is have your teammates back,” she said. “You see a teammate with their head down, you pick them up by cheering or helping them on any play on the field.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Blazers open their home conference play on April 8 at 6 p.m. at the Thomas Athletic Field against Alvernia University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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