My first big college away game wasn’t just a trip it was something new!!
We started our journey before the sun was even fully up, heading to the Philadelphia International Airport with bags packed and energy already high. You could feel it in the air this wasn’t just another game. This was big. This was University of Oregon.
On the way, we had a layover in St. Louis. I caught that familiar smell of Garretts Popcorn. It instantly took me back to being a kid. For a moment, everything slowed down, and I was reminded of how far I’ve come from simple memories to now traveling across the country as a Division I athlete.
When we finally made it to Eugene, it didn’t even feel real. The campus, the atmosphere, the beauty of the city it truly was all something I had never experienced before. Seeing Oregon’s football stadium up close and walking through their facilities showed me what a high caliber school looks like.
Playing on their field was a surreal moment. It’s one thing to say you’re a college athlete, but it’s another to actually compete at that level, in an environment like that. It made everything feel real.
But the experience didn’t stop there. We also faced University of California, Davis, and that brought a whole different vibe. We had the chance to explore, shop around town, and even stop by the Nike Store. Which is my FAVORITE BRAND!
What stood out the most wasn’t just the games it was everything around them. Watching other sports like baseball, exploring a new city, bonding with my team, and realizing that not everyone gets opportunities like this. It really hit me that this is bigger than just lacrosse but once in a lifetime experience.
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