Cermack enjoying busy summer with new professional league UWLX
7/8/2016 3:14:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh women's lacrosse assistant coach Sammy Cermack is part of history this summer as a member of the Philadelphia Force of the new United Women's Lacrosse League, the first-ever professional women's lacrosse league. Cermack has suited up for Philadelphia in each of its games, including two games played at Lehigh's Ulrich Sports Complex during the last weekend of June.
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"It's so exciting to be playing in the first-ever professional women's lacrosse league," said Cermack. "When I was a kid, women's lacrosse was the sport people played in Maryland, Long Island and New York. Now, it has grown all across the country and we have a professional league. It's truly amazing to see how far it has come. Women's lacrosse made history in 2016 with the birth of the UWLX and I am a small, small, small part of history. I feel very honored."
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A former standout at Johns Hopkins University, Cermack was an IWLCA third team All-American as a senior, posting 39 goals, 20 assists, 45 groundballs, 38 draw controls and 17 caused turnovers.
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"I love being able to play the sport I love again at a competitive level," said Cermack. "When you switch roles to the coaching side of things, you really miss being out there. The second thing I love about playing again is the ability to grow as a player. There are so many things I have learned here at Lehigh from the other members of my staff, as well as my team. You learn a lot from coaching, because you see the game from a different perspective. To be given a chance to play again and bring all the things I have learned from my Lehigh family has been truly amazing."
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Cermack can take a lot from her UWLX experience back to Lehigh as she enters her third season on the sidelines. One example is with the 90-second shot clock, which the league is using. It's a preview of the 2017 collegiate season, which will feature the beginning of a 90-second shot clock.
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"Since I coach the offense here at Lehigh, it was awesome to be able to gain a little first-hand experience about how long a 90-second possession actually feels," said Cermack. "Aside from the rules, I have learned a lot from the other members of my Philly Force team. So many of them were incredible players in college and have unbelievable knowledge about the game. It's very exciting to be playing at such a high level."
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The UWLX season began on May 28 with the final regular season contests set for July 16.
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Cermack has many takeaways from her experience this summer, including playing in her back yard at the Ulrich Sports Complex on June 24 and 25. The season-opening games on May 28 were also played at Lehigh, in Goodman Stadium.
Lehigh women's lacrosse supporting Coach Cermack
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"It was an incredible experience to play here at Lehigh a few weeks ago," said Cermack. "I've spent a ton of time at the Ulrich Sports Complex as a coach, so it was very cool to be able to switch roles as a player on our home turf. Some of the people I coached in my hometown came to the game, which was awesome. My favorite part, though, was seeing my Lehigh players all lined up on the fence cheering me on.Â
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"When I was running up the field, not even touching the ball, they were cheering like I scored a game-winning goal. I'll never forget it."
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