Last week, Seton Hill University’s lacrosse team was at David See Field visiting Shippensburg University in a non-conference showdown between the two schools.
SHU exploited the Raiders’ weaknesses throughout the game and rode 12 unanswered goals to a 16¬–7 victory.
For two hours I stood on the sideline watching the Griffins take the lead from their extremely vocal and intense second-year coach, Kristina Quigley.
Little did I know, or anyone for that matter, that this was the last time we would see Quigley.
Traveling to Millersville University on Saturday morning, SHU was preparing for another non-conference matchup, but could not have been prepared for the events that ensued.
The bus, driven by Anthony Guaetta, 61, of Johnstown, veered off the Pennsylvania Turnpike and traveled 75 yards before smashing into a tree — klling Guaetta, Quigley and her unborn son.
One moment. One frame in time can alter reality.
At times, it takes away the people whom we hold dearest. It takes our leaders, our lovers, even our best friends.
The answers to these events dodge our questions. Without the answers to our questions we are continually mystified by a false sense of reality forcing us to believe that this life we live in isn’t fair.
And that’s what life is.
It’s an array of twists and turns that bottom out into an abyss, only to rise again into a euphoric stratosphere of bliss.
It can halt at anytime. It can explode with the power of a thousand suns, or vanish as quiet as a whisper.
It takes away the ones we love, but with loss, comes strength. Through loss, communities come together as one, consoling each other in a true testament as to how kind this human race can be.
Facebook pages and YouTube videos have sprouted for the small liberal arts college in Greensburg. Donations have come pouring in for Quigley’s family and support has reigned supreme from all across the nation.
This cohesion was evident at SU on the field this afternoon. As the Raiders took the field, the players’ shoes were adorned with red and yellow shoelaces — a symbol of their support of Seton Hill.
The loss of Kristina Quigley and Anthony Guaetta should remind us that this life we live is unpredictable — we can’t hide from our destiny.
Instead, we need to celebrate those who are lost as the heroes that they were. When these teams take the field for the remainder of this season, they will be playing not only for themselves, but also for everyone who has ever influenced them.
We only get one shot at this. We need to cherish every moment.
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