University of Massachusets Athletics
Rebounding From an Injury
April 24, 2002 | Women's Lacrosse
by Jessica Blanchard
The Maroon & White
University of Massachusetts women's lacrosse midfielder Lydia Robinson played in only seven games last season due to injury. Since her return to the playing field, Robinson has tallied 24 goals and four assists to lead the Minutewomen in scoring this season. Her success on the field has exceeded everyone's expectations, including her own.
At the start of the 2001 season Robinson had what she thought was severe case of shin splints, which is a chronic problem she has dealt with since junior high. She never thought the injury was severe enough to keep her out an entire season. However, after a tough loss to New Hampshire in mid-March she limped off the field, and never returned.
"After the UNH game I could barely walk," said Robinson. "I thought it was just my shin splints, but it turned out to be a stress fracture."
The stress fracture in her leg forced her to sit out the remainder of the season. The time on the bench gave her a different perspective on the game. Being injured allowed her to experience college lacrosse from the other side of the white line.
In part because of the youthfulness of the team, Robinson has not had to spend any time on the bench. There are no seniors on the 2002 Minutewomen, and Robinson has played since the first game her freshman year. She played in all 15 games as a freshman, and it was not until her injury did she really watch a UMass women's lacrosse game unfold from the sidelines.
"I think watching the game was good for me," said Robinson. "I learned a lot of things last year sitting on the sidelines. Things I wouldn't have learned if I was out there playing."
Coming back from an injury there is always an adjustment period. For Robinson, it did not seem to take long to get back into the flow of the game. She came out strong in the season opener against Holy Cross, scoring two goals in the 15-2 victory over the Crusaders. With each game that followed she consistently improved. In the 12-6 victory over No. 15 Hofstra University, Robinson led all scorers with three goals, giving the Minutewomen their first win against Hofstra in over five years. In the 9-5 victory over in-state rival Harvard, Robinson scored a then career-high four goals to help UMass remain undefeated.
On March 29, Robinson scored five goals in the come-from-behind victory over Duquesne. The 16-13 win over the Duke's gave UMass sole possession of first place in the Atlantic 10 standings and a perfect 3-0 start to its conference schedule. Robinson was named A-10 Player of the Week for her performance against the Dukes. At the time, she led the A-10 in scoring with eight goals and three assists in conference play, while also leading the Minutewomen in overall scoring with 17 goals and four assists for 21 points.
The Minutewomen are currently 8-4 overall and 5-1 in the A-10. In the preseason polls UMass was projected to finish fourth, but now stands tied for second with three games remaining in the season.
"I knew we were going to be strong," said Robinson. "When we execute, we are tough to beat. Any game in the A-10 could go either way."
For the Minutewomen, the game has usually gone their way. Getting Robinson back into the lineup this season has made an obvious impact on the outcome of several games.
The Summit, N.J., native is very modest when it comes to talking about her accomplishments. She even stated she does not like scoring that much. But, head coach Phil Barnes finds no problem with talking about Robinson's comeback and her role on the team.
"Lydia has a very high lacrosse IQ," said Barnes. "She is able to read defenders, and how they are playing her. Whether she is on the ball or off, and combined with her stick skills, she makes for a very dangerous player."
But that was not always the case. Her freshman year she was timid. She allowed defenders to direct play. A season on the sidelines taught her to take it to them and she has seen the results.
"In the past I was very intimidated by defenders," said Robinson. "This year I am taking more one-on-ones. My attitude has changed, now I challenge people, and I guess it has been effective."
Effective would be an understatement. Her 28 points this season has her tied with sophomore Hope Zelinger and junior Jada Emery for leading scorer. According to Barnes her presence on the field has opened up opportunities for other people to score.
"Having her on the field makes a difference," said Barnes. "She creates opportunities for not only herself but also her teammates."
Her accomplishments this season may have come as a surprise to most, but a pleasant one at that. Her individual accolades taste sweet after the bitter disappointment of being sidelined last year. But there is one thing that Robinson knows will taste sweeter.
"I just want our team to do well," said Robinson. "We want an Atlantic 10 Championship"
The Maroon & White
University of Massachusetts women's lacrosse midfielder Lydia Robinson played in only seven games last season due to injury. Since her return to the playing field, Robinson has tallied 24 goals and four assists to lead the Minutewomen in scoring this season. Her success on the field has exceeded everyone's expectations, including her own.
At the start of the 2001 season Robinson had what she thought was severe case of shin splints, which is a chronic problem she has dealt with since junior high. She never thought the injury was severe enough to keep her out an entire season. However, after a tough loss to New Hampshire in mid-March she limped off the field, and never returned.
"After the UNH game I could barely walk," said Robinson. "I thought it was just my shin splints, but it turned out to be a stress fracture."
The stress fracture in her leg forced her to sit out the remainder of the season. The time on the bench gave her a different perspective on the game. Being injured allowed her to experience college lacrosse from the other side of the white line.
In part because of the youthfulness of the team, Robinson has not had to spend any time on the bench. There are no seniors on the 2002 Minutewomen, and Robinson has played since the first game her freshman year. She played in all 15 games as a freshman, and it was not until her injury did she really watch a UMass women's lacrosse game unfold from the sidelines.
"I think watching the game was good for me," said Robinson. "I learned a lot of things last year sitting on the sidelines. Things I wouldn't have learned if I was out there playing."
Coming back from an injury there is always an adjustment period. For Robinson, it did not seem to take long to get back into the flow of the game. She came out strong in the season opener against Holy Cross, scoring two goals in the 15-2 victory over the Crusaders. With each game that followed she consistently improved. In the 12-6 victory over No. 15 Hofstra University, Robinson led all scorers with three goals, giving the Minutewomen their first win against Hofstra in over five years. In the 9-5 victory over in-state rival Harvard, Robinson scored a then career-high four goals to help UMass remain undefeated.
On March 29, Robinson scored five goals in the come-from-behind victory over Duquesne. The 16-13 win over the Duke's gave UMass sole possession of first place in the Atlantic 10 standings and a perfect 3-0 start to its conference schedule. Robinson was named A-10 Player of the Week for her performance against the Dukes. At the time, she led the A-10 in scoring with eight goals and three assists in conference play, while also leading the Minutewomen in overall scoring with 17 goals and four assists for 21 points.
The Minutewomen are currently 8-4 overall and 5-1 in the A-10. In the preseason polls UMass was projected to finish fourth, but now stands tied for second with three games remaining in the season.
"I knew we were going to be strong," said Robinson. "When we execute, we are tough to beat. Any game in the A-10 could go either way."
For the Minutewomen, the game has usually gone their way. Getting Robinson back into the lineup this season has made an obvious impact on the outcome of several games.
The Summit, N.J., native is very modest when it comes to talking about her accomplishments. She even stated she does not like scoring that much. But, head coach Phil Barnes finds no problem with talking about Robinson's comeback and her role on the team.
"Lydia has a very high lacrosse IQ," said Barnes. "She is able to read defenders, and how they are playing her. Whether she is on the ball or off, and combined with her stick skills, she makes for a very dangerous player."
But that was not always the case. Her freshman year she was timid. She allowed defenders to direct play. A season on the sidelines taught her to take it to them and she has seen the results.
"In the past I was very intimidated by defenders," said Robinson. "This year I am taking more one-on-ones. My attitude has changed, now I challenge people, and I guess it has been effective."
Effective would be an understatement. Her 28 points this season has her tied with sophomore Hope Zelinger and junior Jada Emery for leading scorer. According to Barnes her presence on the field has opened up opportunities for other people to score.
"Having her on the field makes a difference," said Barnes. "She creates opportunities for not only herself but also her teammates."
Her accomplishments this season may have come as a surprise to most, but a pleasant one at that. Her individual accolades taste sweet after the bitter disappointment of being sidelined last year. But there is one thing that Robinson knows will taste sweeter.
"I just want our team to do well," said Robinson. "We want an Atlantic 10 Championship"
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