After we beat Maryland in the Final Four, we were flying high.

The next day is one that I wish I could live over and over again. My plans to sleep late that morning was spoiled when I woke up early to thoughts racing through my head: thoughts of pride, thoughts of humility, and thoughts of Virginia. Although I was very sore from the Maryland game, I was happier than I had ever been.

We practiced later in the day in helmet and gloves (instead of full pads) on the Philadelphia Eagles practice field. It was pretty surreal knowing that it was our last practice. We walked through our defensive schemes, and walked through our offensive sets and set plays that we would run in Monday's game.

I can remember playing catch with one of my best friends on the team, Andrew Recchionne and thinking that this time tomorrow we would be playing in the National Championship. Every one on the entire team was in great spirits and we had lots of laughs. Basically practice was relaxed.

Immediately after we practiced...

we all boarded the bus and headed over to the stadium. We were put in the press conference room and watched the Division Three game on the television. Coach told us that we could not go out on the field because is was so hot that he wanted us off our feet.

When the Division Three game went into overtime, we were all taken to a part of the stadium where they had tables set up for us to sign autographs. When I was told we were going to sign autographs, I thought that we would all stand around and a few kids would come up to us.

When I arrived at the section where the tables were set up, I noticed an enormous line; I would say that there were probably 800 to 1000 people in line already. I could not believe it, I felt so humble and at that time I knew that UMass lacrosse was now officially on the map.

We signed autographs for about an hour, kids asked for their shirts to be signed, sticks, gloves, hats, posters, tickets, and anything they had on them we signed. There were so many people that we had to leave before everyone got an autograph so we just walked by the line and signed our names as we went. Everyone was on such a high when we left and seeing the looks on the kids' faces was something that I know I will never forget.

I was happy to make them happy. I not only wanted to sign autographs, I also wanted to play catch with them, give them a few tips, and hang out with everyone. They were so supportive of UMass lacrosse. They appreciated us and we appreciated them. It was a really good relationship that the players built with the fans, we will not soon forget them.

That evening we all met in coach's hotel room, like we do the night before every away game. Luckily, this room was large enough that we could all sit somewhat comfortably, instead of the usual hotel rooms where we would have to sit eight to nine people on each bed, and everyone else would be forced to sit hip to hip covering the entire floor. Even though these are crowded meetings, I always enjoyed them. This one was special because of where we were and what we were about to do. The feeling and emotions that gradually built throughout was something very special.

To be honest, I can't remember what the coaches said the entire meeting because I had something that I was planning to say. I repeated it in my head over and over, and knew that I didn't want to mess this one up. I rarely talk in these meetings as it's usually reserved for the coaches, captains and other seniors that enjoy speaking and motivating the team. But I knew that what I had to say was important to me, and soon would be important to the team. Earlier in the week I found a quote that Coach Garber, the founder of the UMass program, had said. The quote reinforced the attitude that UMass lacrosse is built on, and one that I hold close to my heart. It was: "Remember why you play, instead of worrying about how you are going to play." I went on "You play to have fun as a group dealing with the challenge of the opportunity and to take responsibility for your game individually and collectively."

Along with the quote, I said a few other things that I thought the team should hear. I'm happy I did this and thankfully--probably because I rehearsed it in my head hundreds of times before the meeting--I was able to say what I needed to say without stuttering or aimlessly rambling. After the meeting ended, I returned to my room and prepared myself for what was to be one of the greatest days of my life.

The next morning we all ate as a team for the last time. Nobody said much during the breakfast and the room was filled with great intensity and a sense of urgency. We were about to get our chance, though it was a chance that no one thought we would have had. Frankly, we did not care what other people thought too much. We already achieved a position that no one ever thought we could attain. We loved the roll we were in, relished in it in fact, and would have taken it no other way.

On Monday, the team boarded the bus to drive down to the stadium, and I can remember being one of the last guys to get on. I looked down the isle of the bus at every player. I thought about how we had all come to UMass as individuals, young men with individual dreams, and that now we were a family, brothers with a common cause. This cause--a Championship--was starring us directly in the eye.

Before the game began, I can remember walking out onto the field and looking at my surroundings. I was getting a little more comfortable being in a huge stadium. Fans slowly entered the stadium and filled the seats and my lacrosse career had come full circle. As a young boy I had watched games in person and on television, constantly falling in love with the sport of lacrosse on a daily basis. And now as young man I was on my field of dreams, continuing the lacrosse legacy.