Photo by: DU Media Relations
Bec Hakendorf and Karen Morton are unique freshmen on the women’s lacrosse team, in that they are both from Australia and they are the only two DU players that are not from the U.S.
However, they are not the only members of the team that are from Australia; assistant coaches Jen Adams and Sonia Judd are also from Down Under.
Hakendorf, who is from Novar Gardens just outside Adelaide, is the backup goalie for sophomore Becky Childs, while Morton, who is from Adelaide, plays midfield on the starting lineup.
When asked why they chose to play for the University of Denver, Hakendorf answered, “Both of us knew that it had a really good lacrosse program; they were an up-and-coming team that wasn’t really established, so it was a good team to come to.”
“I have wanted to come over here for a while,” Morton added. “Also the coaching staff is just great.”
While lacrosse is beginning to acquire a devout following in the states, it still has to catch on as a mainstream sport in Australia.
“Lacrosse at home isn’t big at all,” said Morton. “You couldn’t go to college back home and play, you had to come here.”
“There are a lot more opportunities for lacrosse players in America than there are at home,” Hakendorf noted.
Making the transition from high school to college is a big one but moving half- way around the world to make that transition is another thing entirely.
“It is definitely hard keeping in touch with family and friends. I think that both of us have had times when we felt really homesick,” said Hakendorf. “But because we are in a team environment it makes it not so bad because we have always got people around us that we can talk with and we have the coaches that we can go and talk to.”
Friends and family are not the only part of Australia that both Aussies miss. Asked if they miss the water, both women answered simultaneously, “Definitely!”
Along with adjusting to a new country, both have had to adjust to a slightly different game than they were used to.
“There are a few rule differences that we have had to adapt to, but just minor things,” stated Hakendorf.
“One of the main things we have had to adjust to is the level of play and the amount of people that are involved in the game. We actually get spectators out to our games here, whereas at home it is not really a very big sport.”
Morton has jumped into the starting lineup, starting 14 of 16 games, and has scored 37 goals with 17 assists in addition to a team-high 55 ground balls. Hakendorf has one win and 15 saves as backup for Childs. Both women appear to be happy with where they have ended up.
“It’s fun, I’ve been having a good time,” Morton commented on her role as a starting player. “I had no idea what to expect coming over here so I wasn’t shocked or not shocked to start or get goals because I had no idea what I was coming into.”
“It has definitely been a good experience for both of us,” Hakendorf said on coming to Denver.
Though the climate is different and the air a little thinner, the two teammates from Down Under have helped the DU women to meet expectations and continue to contribute to this year’s record-breaking season.
