Day 25

The gold medal match of The World Games and finale of our journey as the 2017 U.S. women's national team.

After a hard-fought match with Great Britain (again) yesterday in the semifinals, our last day and final game versus Canada was upon us. Like all of my teammates, coaches, managers and staff, the arrival of this day brought a mix of emotions. Intensity and anticipation of playing for another gold medal. Excitement to go home and see loved ones we hadn’t seen in almost a month. Dread of repacking everything we brought and having to strategically place items in our bags to make sure we weren’t overweight (cough Kelly Rabil).

But most of all, sadness seemed to be the prevailing emotion that silently hit the team throughout the day.

The cause of this sadness was simple — none of us wanted this experience to end. The past three and a half weeks had been the most physically demanding, mentally challenging, exhilarating, emotional, insanely fun and best weeks of our lives. Up to today, we had eaten roughly 75 team meals, traveled to two countries and three locations, practiced 10 times, had three scrimmages, played 11 games, spent over 600 hours together, and ultimately won one gold medal. To put it simply, over the course of 25 days, we had become one family of 19 heartbeats.

However, this family wasn’t satisfied just yet. Despite all of our accomplishments up to this point, we had one more item to check off the list before returning to the States fully satisfied — a World Games gold medal.

And while we were sad in moments throughout the day, when it came to game time, the only thing on our minds was gold.

To bring home another medal, like each of the 24 days beforehand, we had to follow proper game day protocol. First and foremost on our minds, food and coffee.

After happily sleeping in a little later than normal (our wakeup call the past few mornings had been 6:30 a.m.), the first stop of the day was the dining hall. We were a little disappointed that they weren’t serving the delicious pancakes like the morning before, but we made it work and ate our usual pregame meals instead. Afterward, the regular Starbucks goers ventured into town to get some much needed caffeine. I ordered my typical Starbies go-to, a venti skinny caramel macchiato, while Devon Wills and Kelly Rabil went to the local convenience store and bought the team pregame snacks. Breakfast at the dining hall would be our only chance for a pregame meal, but these two thought ahead and used some extra per diem to buy us treats.

After food and coffee, we headed back to the dorms for a pregame meeting on the front stairs with our coaches and staff. We went over a scouting report for Canada, discussing strategies and team goals for the game, before heading back upstairs to Normatec, chill, and impatiently wait for game time.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, we were able to load the bus and go to the field. A typical pregame locker room session followed, with DJ Gussie Johns playing all of the crowd favorites, from "Get Low" to "Come On Over." Once the dancing by Big Al and singing by our very own Christina Aguilera, or Michelle Tumolo, was complete, it was finally time to hit the field and play our last 70 minutes together. 

Canada came out on fire, scoring the first two goals of the match. But once we settled in and nerves subsided, we played our game and fought together minute after minute. We focused on the little things and continued to battle throughout the entire match until the final whistle blew and we were crowned World Games gold medalists — a historic moment for the sport of lacrosse. What an amazing feeling that was, to win another championship and earn two gold medals in eight days with the best group of people on the planet.

After the game and medal ceremony, we headed into town for a celebratory team meal and closing ceremonies of The World Games. We hung out with our total of eight fans and reminisced on the amazing journey we had had over the past month. Some laughed, some cried, and some simply and silently took in the moment, realizing how special it all was.

We accomplished things in these four weeks that no other team has ever done. We are now World Cup champions. We are now World Games champions. And most importantly, we are now, and forever will be, a family of 19 heartbeats. 

— Taylor Cummings
(Twitter: @tee_cee10, Instagram: @taylorcummings_, Snapchat: @taylorcummings)

Player Profile

TAYLOR CUMMINGS

Years with the U.S. Program: 3
U.S. Senior World Cup Teams: 2017 (Gold)
Position: Midfield
College: Maryland 2016
Honors: First-ever three-time Tewaaraton Award winner (2014-16), three-time Honda Award winner (2014-16), three-time IWLCA Midfielder of the Year (2014-16), two-time NCAA championship MVP (2014-15), Two-time ESPY nominee for Best Female College Athlete (2014-15), 2014-15 Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year.
Hometown: Ellicott City, Md.
Current Residence: Ellicott City, Md.
Current Career: Business owner

What does playing for Team USA mean to you?

Playing for Team USA means playing for something bigger than yourself. You don't play just for yourself and your teammates and coaches. You play for the people who've been there before us and, most importantly, for our country. It is the biggest honor and the most humbling experience to wear USA across my chest. 

When did you start playing lacrosse?

I started playing when I was 5 years old on a recreational team in Ellicott City. All of my friends played and I wanted to join. I was awful. Couldn't catch or throw, but had the best time with my friends, so I kept playing.

What other sports did you play in high school?

Soccer and basketball.

What is one thing that always puts you in a good mood?

Driving around with my windows down blasting music. Reminds me of summer.

What is your go-to pregame meal?

Wheat bagel, toasted, with peanut butter and grape jelly.

What is one thing you can't live without?

My family. I wouldn't be who I am or where I am without them.

What is something that most people don't know about you?

I'm double-jointed in my thumbs.

Is there one person who helped you the most to get to where you are today?

My mom and dad. I would be typing forever and words truly aren't enough. They are one of a kind. 

What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

Went zip-lining through a Haitian jungle.

What advice would you give young players who dream to reach your level?

Be relentless in the pursuit of your dream. And make sure you have fun along the way.