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GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Clark Field has seen its share of heated conference rivalries and national playoff games, and it will play host to the 2010 NCAA Division II and III women's lacrosse championships, but on Thursday afternoon, the home venue of the Gettysburg College women's lacrosse team was the site of an international exhibition between the Bullets and Japan's Nihon University.

Nihon's week-long visit to the United States included a five-game schedule against teams from the local area, with the sixth-ranked Bullets coming in at number two on the slate. The action on Thursday began with a pre-game clinic for the visitors put on by the Gettysburg coaching staff.

Right before the opening draw, the teams got together for an exchange of gifts and a quick picture, overcoming the language barrier with smiles and laughter. Both squads were overflowing with excitement with the Bullets receiving their first taste of international competition and Nihon setting up to tackle one of Division III's premier programs.

The Japanese team was fast and kept up a constant pressure throughout the game, but the skilled and veteran Bullets took control early and gave the visitors a show, netting each of the game's first eight scores on well-timed cuts to the goal. Nihon continued to strike out and eventually tossed in its the first goal at 17:55, leading the players to an exuberant celebration on the field and on the sidelines.

Gettysburg won the contest handily, but the visitors kept on pushing and making it as difficult as possible for the hosts to run their plays.

“They played with real passion for the game,” said Head Coach Carol Cantele about Nihon's effort. “They had good speed and fought to the finish. They played with the same level of enthusiasm and spirit throughout the game, and I think our players recognized and appreciated that.”

At the end of the day, the Bullets had more tallies on the board, but everyone came out on the winning side.

“It was great to see the camaraderie out on the field,” said Head Coach Carol Cantele. “It was a win-win situation because we got to interact with them and make new friends.”

Gettysburg resumes its intercollegiate schedule with a Centennial Conference road trip to Swarthmore College on Saturday, March 21, at 1 p.m. 

Photos Available (David Sinclair)