More Than Wins and Losses

Being a student-athlete at the University of Scranton has taught me lessons that go far beyond lacrosse. Losing to Rowan in the NCAA Second Round was heartbreaking after a season filled with hard work, memories, and time spent with my teammates. However, what makes our team so special goes beyond the wins and losses. The Royal Way message, Reflect, Accept, Adapt, and Respond, reminds me that while we cannot control every outcome, we can choose how we learn from it and how we show up for the people beside us.

Reflecting means looking beyond the final score and appreciating everything that brought our team to that moment. We have to appreciate not only the work we put in, but also the friendships we built along the way. Over time, the people you first meet as teammates become the people you celebrate with, lean on during difficult days, and make memories that extend far beyond lacrosse. Although losing to Rowan was disappointing, it can't take away from the memories and relationships that made the season so meaningful.

Accepting means understanding that change is a part of life. One of the hardest parts for me to accept was that our five seniors would no longer be playing with us. Scranton Women's Lacrosse is so much more than a team; it is a family. I will never take for granted having 39 girls to turn to for support, encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on. Having 12 other girls in my class makes this team even more special because we have shared so much of college and lacrosse together. We have grown as players and people, and I know the friendships we have built will mean just as much to me after lacrosse as they do now. Although saying goodbye to one chapter was difficult, welcoming new first-years this fall reminded me that our family continues to grow.

Adapt means leaning on one another when things do not go as planned. Whether we face challenges on the field or everyday struggles, knowing I have teammates who support me makes all the difference. Being part of this team has taught me I don't have to handle every challenge on my own, and that leaning on others is just as important as learning to push myself. Learning to adapt has also taught me to trust the people around me and understand that we grow so much more when we face challenges together.

Responding means giving that same love and support back to the people around us. I want to be the kind of teammate who others can depend on, who celebrates their successes, encourages them through difficult moments, and makes them feel supported. Responding to adversity isn't just about working harder; it is about continuing to show up for one another, even when things don't go our way. I hope to carry this mindset into everything I do, continuing to grow as a person while helping the people around me become the best versions of themselves.

Losing to Rowan reminded me that disappointment is part of life, but we never have to face it alone. I am beyond grateful for the friendships, sisterhood, and family I have found here at Scranton. As much as I will remember the games we played, I know I will also remember the people who stood beside me through them. Reflect, Accept, Adapt, and Respond are not just lessons for on the field; they are lessons I will carry with me long after my time as a student-athlete comes to an end.
 

Peyton Gallagher, Women's Lacrosse