Before the season officially begins, before records are kept or standings matter, Abby Anemone is already preparing as if everything counts.  On March 19, 2026, the day of the first scrimmage of the season, Abby approached her routine with the same structure and focus that define her game. At 6:45 a.m., she wakes up and begins the day with a simple, consistent breakfast, fried eggs. This fuels herself without over complicating the process. There is no deviation from routine, even for a scrimmage. For Abby, preparation does not change based on the setting.

By the time she arrives at school, the scrimmage is already present in the back of her mind.

Her academic responsibilities remain unchanged. She moves through her schedule, attending classes and completing an AP Government test, maintaining the balance required of a student-athlete. During ceramics, she takes a moment to refocus, reminding herself that “today isn’t about being perfect, it’s about learning and getting better.” Because it’s the first scrimmage Abby knows the new team has to learn how to play together and get back into the swing of things. That mindset becomes central as the day progresses.

At lunch, she eats pizza with a teammate, Morgan Manriquez , briefly stepping away from the anticipation. Even when she realizes her NCAA March Madness bracket is no longer intact, she does not allow it to disrupt her focus. Small distractions are acknowledged, then set aside.

As the afternoon continues, the awareness of competition becomes more immediate. Sitting in English class, the reality of the scrimmage sets in. There are nerves, but they remain controlled. Abby relies on her preparation and her understanding of her team’s capabilities, trusting in what they can execute together.

At the end of the school day, her focus sharpens. She begins to visualize the role she wants to play, not in terms of statistics, but in terms of leadership. Her priority is clear: to bring energy, communicate effectively, and elevate the performance of those around her.

In the parking lot, she completes a key part of her routine. Abby changes into her uniform in her car while listening to country music, creating a defined transition from student to athlete. It is a quiet but deliberate moment, allowing her to fully shift her attention to the field.

Warmups introduce a different tempo. Hype music plays as the team moves through drills, building intensity with each repetition. Abby engages fully, using the structure of warmups to establish rhythm and focus before stepping into play.

During the scrimmage, her role extends beyond individual performance. She communicates consistently and works to maintain composure within the team. At halftime, she addresses her teammates directly, emphasizing the need to slow the pace, control possession, and reestablish structure. Her effective communication is a classic quality of a good captain. 

The final result is a 14–6 loss to New Providence. Abby finishes with three goals while also recording three forced turnovers, a performance that reflects her impact on the field. As a scrimmage, the outcome carries less weight than the lessons it provides, offering early insight into adjustments that will shape the season. Last year, the girl’s lacrosse team was 5-14 in the NJIGLL- Freedom White Division, but this year with a fresh start and whole new schedule, Abby is excited to make adjustments that lead to a better record. Along with finishing the season with a better record, Abby also wants her team to make the state tournament, which they fell short from last year. She also is working to get 200 goals and receive all conference and all county recognition. 

The potential is endless for the Caldwell Girl’s Lacrosse team as they already have great chemistry and just have to transfer that to the field. Senior defender Ava Tsettos said “This season is going to be our comeback from last year and I’m really excited to see what we do this year.” The team chemistry allows the girls to decompress after a loss with no hostility or anger. After the scrimmage some players gather at Chipotle, while Abby spends time with teammate Crawford Checchetto watching the NCAA March Madness tournament. The intensity of competition gives way to routine once again. That evening, she returns home, showers, completes her homework, and prepares for the next day before going to bed.

For Abby Anemone, a lacrosse commit to Kutztown University, a scrimmage is not treated as something separate from the season. It is part of the same process. Preparation remains consistent, expectations remain high, and each moment contributes to her development for the season ahead.