Name: Lily Smith
Year: 2nd
Degree: English Literature
Tell us how you got into lacrosse Lily
Lacrosse was a big deal at my senior school so I started playing when I moved there. Any activity involving balls and a stick and I was going to be game from a young age.
How did you feel when you picked up that first stick?
When I picked up my first stick I felt an electric charge pulsating through me. I imagine like what Harry felt when he clutched his first Nimbus 2000 in timid, trembling fingers. Like when Bolt first put on his running spikes. Some things are just meant to be; this was one of them.
Do you play attack or defense?
I’m defense – either straight or middy. I’m quite bolshy on the pitch, I once got sent off for hitting a girl on the head and making her bleed when I played for Wales against England! I’ll try my hardest not to let the opposition score. Course on the dancefloor of TP it’s another story – I’m an attacker whether it be fighting for the centre of the dancefloor with my galdem or targeting my next pull. I celebrated National Sharking Day with the gals; motto of the day: target and attack.
If we can’t spot you on the pitch where are we most likely to find you Lily?
My favourite hangout is definitely the forum – I possibly prefer it to Mosaic. Definitely prefer to Rococo’s. Not only will you undoubtedly bump into someone to chat to (especially being a campus celeb and all…), but you can also convince yourself you’re doing work! My favourite spot is floor +1 on the balcony – ultimate people watch spot and at that dizzy height you feel like God. I can be found there most days with a Costa and a pal.
Highlight of being an Exeter Uni student so far?
Exeter has been so much fun- whether it be pulling boys or bolting bevvys. One of the big highlights has to be the Ski trip last year though which was incredible, loved the Folie & partying in boiler suits in the evening! Beating Loughborough to get to the semi finals of BUCS was also a big highlight. Chundering over myself at the Lax Christmas dinner was probably a lowlight.
What would you take to a desert island?
If I was on a deserted island, I’d take my cat, my lax stick, a Nicki Minaj album and either Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald or Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernierres.
Favourite night out in Exeter?
My favourite night out last year was definitely MNM – I am proud to say I only missed three Monday Mozzers of my entire Freshers year. This year it’s all about TP Wednesdays, especially top floor.
How do you like your eggs?
I like my eggs boiled mostly. Though I am partial to scrambled. I do love all eggs though … if I was a food my housemates say they reckon I’d be an egg. Eggsellent!
In a toss up between literature and lacrosse, which wins?
Lax versus literature – it’s a close call. Although I can’t deny my passion for prose, I am crazy about cradling. If I could read Shakespeare whilst watching both the ball and my player in a defensive settle, I would.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
If I was an animal, I’d probably be a tiger. Or just any kind of cat. I’m an animal on and off the field: fierce and a hunter on the dance floor, I can also be a fluffy softie too. I generally love all kinds of cats – I plan on having loads when I’m older, maybe like 10 to all sleep in bed with me and to cuddle.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Ideally still on the forum balcony.
A few words of wisdom for ladies looking to pick up a lax stick?
Galdem, if you’re the type that enjoys cradling balls or handling shafts then lacrosse would be a great extra-curricular to take up. It’s an extremely fun, stimulating, competitive, speedy game – it’s got to be one of the fastest sports for women. It’s already massive in the US and becoming more and more appreciated in the UK. If you’re interested, I thoroughly recommending getting your hands on a stick and rocking up to a practice. EULC has a great range of practices for all abilities including weekly beginners practices, fitness sessions and 1st, 2nd and 3rds teams. If you need more persuasion check out this top lax film – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hepw_8fLhMI