Marquette women's lacrosse prepares for 1st NCAA Tournament

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Marquette women's lacrosse team had a historic, 15-2 season, but on selection Sunday, the Golden Eagles were still very much on the bubble. CBS 58's Scott Grodsky caught up with the team after a moment more than a decade in the making.

"Being there, hearing our name called, that was just true, authentic joy and this is a dream come true," said Emma Soccodato. "When you are younger, playing lacrosse, you look at the NCAA tournament and think, 'well, I'd love to be there some day.'"

That was quite a moment, but let's rewind to the start of the season.

"We have been driven from the moment we stepped on the field in the fall, that we wanted to go and to reach higher standards than we have ever set in this program," said Lydia Foust.

An experienced team knew they had something special early. But even they didn't know making the tournament for the first time in program history was possible.

"When we committed at Marquette, we never thought it was in the cards for us. We'd obviously work hard, but it's never been done," said Soccodato. "To be here, wearing the Marquette jersey that I have so much pride wearing it, with the best team in the entire world. To have this opportunity, I realize, is hopefully not once-in-a-lifetime, but right now it feels once-in-a-lifetime."

"It just shows all the hard work that this team, and every team prior to this team, has put in to build this program, being only 10 years into it. It's a really special experience," said Meredith Black.

Of course, now that they've made the tournament, they are hungry for more.

"This is our year; this is the time we're going to set a new standard for Marquette lacrosse," said Foust.

The Golden Eagles hope this historic run brings more awareness to the growing program.

Their first tournament run starts Friday against Richmond.