By Shane Hulsey

A new sport is set to make its Quincy University debut.

When the QU women’s lacrosse team takes the field Friday at 5 p.m. at QU Stadium, it will mark the first lacrosse game in QU history.

Head coach Kathelene Kim spent an entire year recruiting future Hawks by herself after she took the head coaching job in 2018. To see those efforts come to fruition puts a warm spot in her heart.

“It’s been a long time coming,” she said. “Just to see girls on campus now with sticks in their hands, it’s a whole different feeling. It’s like your birthday every practice. It’s a weird feeling, but it’s awesome.”

Before taking the job at QU, Kim spent two years as an assistant at Queens University in North Carolina, who, in 2018, won its fifth straight SAC Conference Tournament Championship.

Kim has taken on the challenge of starting a new program head on. She said the players have helped make that challenge a little easier.

“There is a difference (between being at an established program and starting a new one), but it’s nice to know that as much as I’ve thrown at these girls, they’ve been sponges, taking everything in and working really hard.”

Freshman goalkeeper Kelly McClure said the team has received support from outside the program, which has made Friday’s landmark game that much more significant.

“We’re getting a lot of support from the school and the community, as well,” she said. “I think the whole community is excited to see what we do this season, bringing lacrosse to the Quincy area.”

Friday night is the chance for freshman midfielder Kara Wilhelm and the rest of the QU women’s lacrosse team to bring something new to Quincy, something the town has been missing.

“Everyone’s looking for something big, something different, so it’s going to bring a whole new aspect to the table for everyone,” she said. “It’s going to be exciting.”

Wilhelm said these final few practices before game day have been all about fine tuning, making sure all the pieces are in place.

“We’ve been getting after it in 7-on-7 drills, really working the offense and defense, working on plays,” she said. “Our communication has been a major focus, too, just building that team chemistry.”

Friday night is ladies’ night, and the feeling’s most definitely right.

“It’s super exciting, especially since this is an area where lacrosse is brand new,” Kim said. “Everything we do is the first of everything. We’re setting the bar and making history right now.”

And what a night it will be: lacrosse for the very first time at The Rock.