The other striking detail is that everyone wears a pony tail, everyone, that is, except midfielder Jen Adams , first among equals, whose short blond pigtails are as much a trademark as her tricky stick work. They belong to a team that has a better record in national college championship games than the Yankees do in the World Series. It's a team that's undefeated and, beginning tomorrow, will defend its title for the seventh consecutive time. But numbers are a mere distraction. On the eve of a big match against Princeton, the girls stroll onto the field, fling their gear bags and car keys in the grass, and strip off their jackets.
Chatter is nonstop as they lace up their lacrosse shoes.
Two girls break away to pass the ball. Two more arrive, one running to hug the other. Courtney Hobbs lets out a warrior's scream. Hot cross buns, Hot cross buns, One a penny, Two a penny, Hot cross buns. Nobody gives a command, but they all know when it's time.