Sept. 15, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Optimism and leadership reigns supreme as the Vanderbilt lacrosse team begins fall practices.
The Commodores held their first practice of Fall Ball on Monday afternoon on the practice field on a beautiful, sunny day in the Music City. Vanderbilt returns seven starters from a 2015 squad that went 7-9 and finished tied for fourth in the BIG EAST Conference.
With 22 letterwinners back and seven seniors, the Commodores and coach Cathy Swezey are encouraged for the 2016 season — still five months away. In addition to practicing over the next six weeks, Vanderbilt will get several tests this fall. The ‘Dores will scrimmage against George Mason on Saturday and then play at a tournament at Navy on Oct. 10, followed by a tournament at Duke on Oct. 24.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled,” said Swezey, who begins her 19th year at the helm. “We have a really strong leadership group in the senior class this year. Just a highly motivated group of girls. The majority of them have been on the field for (the last three years). I think they’re really ready to go and hopefully change how things have been going the last few years for us.”
The Commodores are also spending this fall getting used to several rule changes that were recently approved by the NCAA Rules Committee. Among the notable changes are the implentation of sudden death overtime. Previously, two three-minute periods were played in overtime. If the game was still tied after six minutes, then the team that scored the first goal in the ensuing overtime(s) was the winner. Starting in 2016, the team that scores the first goal wins the game.
Every goal scorer’s stick will be checked after each goal. Coaches will still be allowed a maximum of three stick check requests per game. Coaches’ requests for stick checks may be asserted during the following time periods: during timeouts, at halftime, before the game, before overtime, and prior to the start of the draw.
Players will be allowed to empty stick check when a player is going for the ball. And by 2017, all Division I teams will have to abide by a 90-second possession clock. After a team has gained possession of the ball, a visible 90-second possession clock will start. At the expiration of 90 seconds, a change of possession will be awarded to the opposing team.
