Loss of Seniors Leaves Big Shoes to Fill

The RIT woman’s hockey team finished the 2013 season at a 10-7, a winning record. However, they fell short of their goal: winning the Liberty League championship.

As the RIT women’s Lacrosse team began to prepare for next season, For the Tigers had the opportunity to talk to a freshmen player, Sage Sarkis (’17), who will be returning next year. We wanted to get her take on the prospect of next year’s team and the challenges they will face in the upcoming season.

For The Tigers: How will the team fill the void left behind by the graduating seniors?

Sage Sarkis: It’s going to be really tough for us to even begin to replace our seniors. We may have to replace them on the field, but we never will in our hearts. We learned a lot
from them and we will carry out what they have taught us throughout next year.

FTT: Shelby Vakiener (#24) owns the single-season records in points (115), goals (78), assists (37), and draw controls (73), according to RIT Athletics. How do you feel about Vakiener leaving?

SS: I’m really going to miss Shelby. She not only was she my teammate but off the field she is an ever better friend. If we were down in a game by a few points...I knew I could look to her for a little bit of hope that we could still win it.

I think it will impact the team a lot that she’s leaving, but we just have to make up for the goals we won’t have from her. And I know we can do it, because we are a strong team and we will want to make Shelby proud.

FTT: What are your goals for next year?

SS: Our goals for next year are to simply work harder. We need to run more, and work harder in practice. The main goal is to win the liberty league and show everyone who thinks we can’t do it that we can.

Although they face tough competition and steep challenges, coach Jeff McGuigan and returning players, such as Sarkis, are determined to make this next year even more successful than the last.

Author: Mohammad Alzuhair