The Gettysburg College women's lacrosse team's national championship run was relived inside a crowded Bream Gym as the team members received their rings and unveiled the new championship banner Saturday afternoon.
Each student-athlete, coach, and staff member proudly strolled across the court to the sound of raucous applause and received their championship rings from Gettysburg President Janet Riggs ’77. Once every member received their ring, the smiling throng moved to the southwest corner of Bream Gym where an orange banner hung folded from the rafters. One quick pull released the banner denoting the team's 2017 NCAA Division III championship.
"I think coming back brings back all the memories and it's like we never left," said Katelyn Neillands ’17 of Basking Ridge, N.J. "It makes you realize all the fun times you had and all the great memories."
The event was the culmination of the celebration for Gettysburg's remarkable run last spring. The Bullets tied the school record with 21 wins with eight of those victories coming against teams that finished among the top 14 in the nation. Gettysburg took down two top-ranked institutions, including a 6-5 victory over The College of New Jersey in the national title game on the campus of Roanoke College.
The 2017 title represents the program's first national title since 2011, which was also directed by Head Coach Carol Cantele ’83. Cantele won her 400th game as a collegiate coach last season and enters her 26th season at the helm this spring.
Gettysburg as an institution has won three national championships with the first claimed by field hockey in 1980.
