CORTLAND, NY – For most sports, snow signals a delay, a postponement, or even a cancellation. But for many lacrosse players across the northern United States and Canada, and especially at SUNY Cortland, snow is simply part of the game.
Whether it’s early-season matchups or surprise April snowstorms, athletes often find themselves lacing up their cleats in sub-freezing temperatures, battling the elements as much as they do their opponents.
Slippery Footing and Slower Play
Unlike sports such as hockey or skiing, which embrace the cold, lacrosse is traditionally played on grass or turf surfaces are drastically affected by snow. Once the field is covered in snow, traction becomes an immediate concern.
Senior Attacker Caden Yancey is familiar with playing in the snow as, hailing from Syracuse, New York, he’s been playing through it for his entire career.
“It’s like trying to sprint across a skating rink,” said Yancey. “You can’t cut the same way, and you’re always adjusting your steps.”
Cleats are often rendered ineffective on slick fields, especially if the snow begins to melt and refreeze, creating patches of ice.
Players must rely more on balance and short, controlled movements rather than explosive cuts. Making the normally fast-paced game slow down to a crawl.
Visibility and ball control
Snowfall also affects visibility, not just for spectators, but for players trying to track a small, fast-moving ball.
“In a snowy game, you’re lucky if you can even see the ball leave the stick,” said Jack Obrien, a Senior midfielder on SUNY Cortland. “We sometimes switch to orange or yellow balls just so we can see them.”
Even with brightly colored balls, handling becomes a challenge. The cold can cause sticks to stiffen, while the moisture from snow can make gloves and shafts slippery. Cradling, passing, and shooting all become less precise.
“You don’t realize how much feeling you lose in your hands until you’re out there for 30 minutes,” Obrien said. “It’s like trying to play piano with frozen fingers.”
Mental toughness and preparation
Despite the difficulties, playing in the snow is often viewed as a test of mental toughness, something senior captain and defender Christian Lembo embraces.
“I tell the guys, if you can play in this, you can play in anything,” said Lembo. “The weather isn’t going to stop us from getting a win.”
Practices are often adapted to focus on fundamentals rather than full-speed scrimmages. Drills are slowed down, and conditioning is emphasized to keep players warm and engaged.
For some, the snowy backdrop even adds to the sport’s appeal.
“It’s brutal, but it’s also kind of beautiful,” Lembo said. “There’s something cool about playing with snow coming down, everything quiet except the sound of cleats and sticks. It’s a different kind of intensity.”
Looking Ahead
As lacrosse continues to grow nationwide, especially in colder regions, many teams are investing in indoor practice facilities and weather-resistant equipment. Still, for many programs without those resources, the snow remains a constant opponent.
For teams like the Red Dragons of SUNY Cortland, snow will always be one of the toughest opponents they face year in and year out.
As they have already faced this foe in 2 of their matchups this season, including their game against Brockport early on in the season, and once again when they played R.I.T. just two weeks ago.
Whether it’s a flurry or a full-on storm, lacrosse players continue to dig their cleats into the frozen turf, proving time and again that grit isn’t just part of the game. It’s a requirement.