TicketsApril 25, 2012
By Joe Gryniewski
When senior Laura Simanski came all the way from Baltimore, Md. to play lacrosse for the University of Cincinnati four years ago, she never imagined she'd walk away as the best to have played at UC. With still two games left in her senior season, Simanski has inscribed her name in the Bearcat record books as the player with the most career goals (151), points (167) and free-position goals (39) in school history. She has lead the team in goals all four years of her career, and in 2012, Simanski was named team captain for the first time.
But despite leaving the lacrosse hub of America to play the sport she loves more than 500 miles away, her first impression of campus was enough to make it worth it.
"I knew that if I came to UC I would get the chance to practice hard, and I would get the opportunity to play as a freshman," Simanski said. "I remember my first visit to UC. I was blown away by the whole campus and I thought the athletic facilities were unreal, far like anything I had seen on any of my other visits. I just felt like this is where I was supposed to be."
Fast-forward four years and it is clear Simanski is exactly where she was meant to be. She has been an unstoppable force on the Bearcats lacrosse team, as she holds nearly every offensive record in the team's brief five-year history. While her success with the team cannot be overstated, Simanski isn't reflecting on her individual accomplishments on the field during the last week of her senior season.
"It's exciting and cool what UC lacrosse has been able to give me, but I won't remember scores or anything like that," Simanski said. "It's about the little things on and off the field with the girls that I will miss the most."
While she has enjoyed her senior season she feels the conclusion of her career creeping up on her.
"It's so surreal. I'm from Maryland where you're born with a lacrosse stick," Simanski said. "I had so many goals and I have dreamed about this moment for years. Now I have four practices and two games left, it's sad."
However, Simanski isn't quite ready to say goodbye to the game she loves so dearly.
"I feel like I am leaving the lacrosse world, but it made me realize that when I get back to Maryland I may want to get into coaching a high school team or something like that."
While her last week is bittersweet, Simanski knows what she will remember most about her time as a Cincinnati Bearcat, and it's the memories she made with her teammates.
"I just cannot express how much I love my team," Simanski said. "Last Friday in the `Pink Game' (against Connecticut), I realized how much bigger than just lacrosse it is. We are a family now."
Simanski has been a huge success on and off the field for the Bearcats and she cherishes the memories that have come with it. Four practices and two games is all Laura Simanski has left of her senior year, but those precious memories she has made will remain long after the final horn sounds during Monday's season finale in Detroit.