Krissy Battles '12 and her teammates celebrate their tournament victory in Prague, Czech Republic
Contributed photo
Just a few short weeks after playing key roles in the best Wittenberg women's lacrosse season in nearly a decade, a pair of Tiger standouts took their talents overseas to play for select teams organized by USA Athletes International.
Erin Guiliano, class of 2013 from Loveland, Ohio, competed in a tournament in Germany in June, and Krissy Battles, class of 2012 from Kingwood, Texas, competed in a tournament in the Czech Republic in July. Both played with teammates and coaches from across the United States in what both characterized as a once-in-a-lifetime international competition opportunity.
"It was the trip of a lifetime," said Battles, an attacker who contributed seven goals and five assists in 12 games for the Tigers in 2011. "I had so much fun with the girls and exploring a different country.
"The experience was one that I will never forget, and I look forward to the next time I get the opportunity to travel abroad. The different cultures, beautiful buildings and amazing memories are all of the things that made my trip so memorable. I am so blessed to have gotten this opportunity."
Winning a tournament championship made the trip that much better for Battles. Guiliano's team just missed pulling off the same feat, losing 11-10 in the final to a team comprised of players from numerous countries.
Taking home a silver instead of gold did nothing to dampen Guiliano's experience, however.
"I absolutely loved the experience," said Guiliano, a midfielder who ranked in the Tigers' top four in 2011 for goals, assists, total points, draw controls and ground balls en route to second-team All-North Coast Athletic Conference honors. "I never actually pictured myself in the Red, White and Blue, but it has been a dream since I started playing lacrosse. That was actually one of the first things I told Coach (Nichole) Johnson that I wanted to accomplish, and now I got it.
"This has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I will never forget it. Coach Johnson helped me so much over the last two years. She has become one of my best friends, and I owe a lot of my success to her."
Johnson resigned her position at Wittenberg after two years in May and has since taken the same position at Savannah School of Art & Design. Beth Hemminger was recently hired as the Tigers' new women's lacrosse head coach.
She inherits a program that made its first appearance in the NCAC Tournament since 2003 in April and is positioned to continue its improvement in 2011, thanks to the commitment of players like Battles and Guiliano, who didn't start playing lacrosse until her freshman year of high school. Guiliano has proven to be a quick study, and she is so confident in her abilities that she has joined the Tiger field hockey team and hopes to make an impact in that program as well.
Written By: Ryan Maurer
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