New Breed of Mustang Pride

By Isiah L. Benjamin

GNAC Correspondent, Mount Ida College

Here at Mount Ida College we are accustomed to the force of men’s lacrosse that has been very successful in the past years which has now paved the way for an up and coming women’s lacrosse program. First year Head Coach Peri West plans to alert the Mount Ida community about the women’s game as she and her team establish a new breed of Mustang pride.

West has experience in women’s lacrosse as both a coach and player. She spent two years as an assistant coach for the Wheaton College women’s lacrosse team and helped lead the Lyons to their fifth straight New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament championship game in 2006. As a player, West was a co-captain her junior and senior seasons at Wheaton and led her team to a 20-4 record in conference play. Capturing both regular season and conference titles, she participated in the NCAA tournament.

For the approaching season Coach West expressed, “My goal is to have as many committed players as possible so that they may be the back bone of the program.” Although the women’s lacrosse team will not be a NCAA varsity program until spring 2010, Coach West put much emphasis on committed players because it is her philosophy and method of coaching that she will motivate her players as if it is 2010 right now.

Looking into the future, the women’s lacrosse team will strive to expand through recruiting and achievement. Recruiting for a team just starting off may seem to be a challenge but it has the potential to reap many benefits. Coach West will be able to instill the essence of integrity in her players which in return will provide opportunities for incoming players to make immediate impacts and be affective leaders.

GNAC correspondents are selected by their institution to write feature stories for the GNAC website.