TAMPA, Fla. – Mindy McCord has a good problem. Her Bulls went to the American Conference championship game in their first season of play. As such, it is imperative to temper expectations, make sure the players refrain from putting unnecessary pressure on themselves and focus on the larger picture of continuing to build a women’s lacrosse program. Of course, that is easier said than done.
“I think there are different pressures now,” said McCord, whose team went 13-5 and was fourth in the country in attendance with an average of 921 patrons for 11 home dates. “It’s like, ‘We competed for the championship, so what’s the expectation moving forward?’”
The important thing is for her players, especially those returning from such a successful debut season, to not squeeze their sticks harder and harder when things do not go well.
“I think our culture is really strong that way and I feel that they recognize that there are going to be ebbs and flows,” said McCord, who had 28 freshmen on the inaugural squad. “You can’t allow a loss or one play to (get you down.)”
Lessons will be learned and camaraderie built among returning players and several newcomers during a fall that includes a slate of exhibitions that began last Saturday with a win at the University of Tampa, coming off its second straight Division-II national title.
Florida State, which in the spring will play its inaugural season, visits Corbett Stadium this Sunday as part of an afternoon that also includes Florida Southern and Stetson. Trips to Virginia and New Jersey are on tap and will allow McCord to continue to see how far her team has come and how far it might have to go before the curtain rises on the 2026 season.
“The fall is about player development for us,” she said. “Players feel that they can compete for jobs and grow as players. The new players are very talented and many of them should be able to help us on the field immediately. So, I think we upgraded our talent and we have another year of experience.”
The goaltending, in particular, should be strong. Paige Pagano, who played for McCord at Jacksonville University before the latter left for USF, reunited with her coach and provided the Bulls with a priceless veteran presence in her final season of eligibility. McCord now turns to a trio of goalies, including Cincinnati transfer Hailey Darko, that she feels good about.
“Our goalie world is solid,” she said. “I would say that we contend with some of the best in the country.”
It also underscores how far her program has come in such a short period of time.
“We’re in a good trajectory,” she said. “We have another year experience, have more talent and have a good culture. We’re in a good place.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
