Exclusive Interview with Jenny Taft

I sat down with senior Jenny Taft ('10) to talk about the women's lacrosse team and her experience as a Division 1 athlete.

1.What has been your favorite moment so far as a member of the lacrosse team?

When we beat UNH last season in overtime for America East, it was such an exciting game. But every year getting to know new people on the team has been such a great time. I have had the opportunity to play with some many amazing girls throughout my last four year at BU, and I wouldn't change anything about that experience!

2.What is one thing about lacrosse that most people don't know?

I think it is important for people to realize that lacrosse is a fast moving sport and it is also high scoring. People often don't realize how fun lacrosse is to watch!

3. Did being the daughter of a professional athlete influence you towards playing sports competitively in any way?

My Dad never pushed my brother or I into sport, we both just really wanted to be athletes. My mom was a speed skater, so skating was always in the picture. I actually started as a figure skater, but eventually picked ice hockey. Either way, my dad would have supported me. It's great to have my Dad around to talk sports, at first he didn't know as much about lacrosse, but over break I have taught him how to play to help me practice!

4. Why lacrosse and not ice hockey or tennis (the other two sports she played in high school)?

I grew up playing ice hockey and I still love skating. I considered playing D1 hockey, but at the end of the day I knew that I wanted to go to a school where I loved the school first and then picked a sport. In Minnesota lacrosse was a new sport, and I wanted to prove that you could still be a good lacrosse player, even if you were from the midwest.

5. What made you choose BU over other Division 1 programs?

I knew that the COM school at BU was a perfect fit for me, and I am still so happy about my decision. I looked at other schools where I could have played hockey or lacrosse but the schools didn't offer the same education programs as BU. I knew I was taking a chance coming to BU and trying to walk on to the lacrosse team, but at the end of the day, it really worked out.

A Plea to Reasoning: Why You Should Give This Team A Chance

They may not be the Men's Hockey team, but after this year's rollercoaster performance that has involved as many lows as highs that may not be a bad thing. Boston University's lacrosse team is just as successful though year in and year out and here are four reasons to go out and support them:

1. This team wins and wins often. Over the past seven years the lacrosse team has compiled a 100-24 record. But as good as that is, it pales in comparison to their record at the friendly confines of Nickerson Field: 58-4. That's right they average about a loss at home every two years, chances are pretty good you're going to at least see the Terriers win.

2. It's not every team on campus that has it least one national player of the year award candidate. This year the Terriers Tewaarton Award Nominee (Player of the Year) is senior McKinley Curro ('10). Last year Curro was named an All-American after finishing with 40 goals and 31 assists. And it's not like this is a new thing, as Sarah Dalton ('09) was a nominee for the award the past two years following in a long line of elite players donning the scarlet and white.

3. If there's one thing you should know about women's lacrosse there's a lot of scoring. BU is averaging nine goals a year this year in five games, their opponents are scoring over eight goals a game. 17 goals a game, with back and forth action? For those fans who are just interested in highlight plays and lots of scoring you can't hate that.

4. When I asked Jenny Taft ('10), a member of the team why students should go, this was her pitch:

"Lacrosse games are high energy, intensity, and fun! We have a great team this year and so far it has been an exciting year. We love having fans at our games because it always helps get everyone's energy up... and we will play rain or shine - so having those fans even when it isn't great weather always helps too!"

So there you have it four reasons for you to trek down to West Campus and bask in the sun while watching a winning product and a fun sport. Just give it a try.