The 1980 women’s lacrosse team takes their team portrait on the field of modern day Jopson Athletic Complex. This collection of Eagles went 9-9 and went to the national semifinals where they fell to eventual division one program Lafayette.

Before the Ferrum game on March 15, many of the 1980 women’s lacrosse team reunite with each other to be inducted into the hall of fame, surrounded by former Assistant Coach Susan J. Billhimer on the far left and former Head Coach Mary Frances Heishman on the far right. Over 40 years after their historic season, these women rejoined each other to celebrate the impact their season had on the growth of Bridgewater women’s lacrosse.

Former coaches and players group up in front of their plaque displaying their team as a Bridgewater Team of Distinction. At the time, this team consisted of players with years of experience, but also players who had never picked up a stick before becoming a member of the team.

The plaque hanging in the Nininger Hall of Fame details the significance of the women’s lacrosse team of 1980. These ladies defeated division one programs, including Longwood and Lafayette, along their way to back to back national tournament appearances.

Director of Athletics Curt Kendall and former women’s lacrosse Head Coach Mary Frances Heishman share a laugh after Heishman gave a heartfelt speech to the 1980s team. Their coaching careers overlapped by 22 years, giving them the chance to become long time friends. During their tenures, Heishman coached women’s lacrosse from 1971-1987, established a volleyball program while coaching until 2008 and Kendall coached BC baseball from 1986-2019.

Pictures from archives at the pregame reception display a multitude of shots from the 1980 season. The players that came with no prior experience usually came from other sports like soccer or basketball; sports that have similar field spacing to lacrosse.

Head Coach Ashley Hughes shares her pregame speech about character to the team with the alumni at the pregame reception. Alumni sat and appreciated her wise words and wished her well as the Eagles prepared for conference competition.

Following the pregame reception, the 1980s team signed the alumni teamwork board in the women’s lacrosse locker room. Coach Hughes invites all women’s lacrosse alumni to sign this board and leave their mark for generations to come.

Heishman embraces in a big hug from Bridgewater College President David Bushman alongside Kendall and former players of this 1980 Team of Distinction. This group received a cheerful applause from players, coaches and fans of both Bridgewater and Ferrum.

Number 12, sophomore Paige Mayers, gets introduced as a starter as she high fives both current and former Eagles. The alumni went through pregame rituals with the players before watching them put on a historic performance in a 20 goal victory.