KUTZTOWN, Pa. – A dream can be a cherished aspiration or it can be an unwelcomed emotion. For Kutztown University women's lacrosse seniors Destanee Watkins (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) and Rylee Hill (Romansville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan), they experienced dreams in both senses of the word in a matter of minutes.
 
The Golden Bears had just returned from a business trip to Florida for two games over their spring break when heartbreak set in. With news starting to circulate around the sports world about seasons getting cancelled on Thursday, March 12, the day after KU returned to campus, there was a feeling of unease and nervousness around the program about what's to come. The following day, their fate was announced as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) office followed suit and cancelled the spring seasons of its athletics programs.
 
Watkins and Hill, along with a third senior and first-year member of the program, Jenna Bracken (Wanaque, N.J./Lakeland Regional), saw their careers potentially flash before their eyes in an instant.
 
"When I first heard the news I was in disbelief," said Hill. "I felt like I was in a dream, but then it started to set in that my final season was coming to an end, and the tears started to come and there was no stopping them. It's really kind of sad because lacrosse has been a part of my life for 16 years and the worst part is we didn't even know our last game we played was going to be our last, so if feels like its unfinished because I never had a proper goodbye to a sport and a family that has had such a huge impact on who I am."
 
"It was honestly heartbreaking because we thought we had so much more time," Watkins said. "I think the worst part was not knowing that our game against Embry-Riddle (March 10) was the last game of our college career. We left Florida ready and excited to start PSAC play that Saturday and to just have our last season ripped away in a blink of an eye is something that will be hard to get over. I honestly at first was in denial like this isn't true. I then really let it sink in and at that moment there are no words to describe how I was really feeling, I just broke down into tears. As for now, after letting it settle for a few days, I truly am just heartbroken and disappointed. My heart goes out to all the other seniors whose seasons also got cancelled, there are no words to say how sorry I am but we are in this together."
 
Kutztown was sitting at 2-3 overall after five non-conference games to open up the 2020 campaign, including winning both games on its new Keystone Field turf. KU was set to begin its 12-game conference slate by hosting Bloomsburg University on Saturday, March 14, and the Golden Bears were ready for the conference competition.
 
"We were ready to take on the PSAC," Hill said. "We had a bond on this team, that in my four years, has never been this strong. The talent and potential we had wasn't even tapped yet. We showed ourselves in Florida what we could do. We came so close to getting those wins against some really good, competitive teams. I don't think the PSAC would have been ready for what we had in store, and I'm so excited to see what the team can do next season."
 
"The confidence was 100% there and we were ready to get back at it Saturday and keep our home record undefeated," said Watkins. "Even though we had lost our two games in Florida we still were proud of the way we played considering we were able to give two amazing teams a hard fight. With every game played you always have new things to take away from it, we knew what we needed to fix and we were ready to put the work in to get where we needed to be. This team has worked extremely hard all year and has faced some hard times, but we were ready to prove ourselves this year and show everyone what KU lacrosse is really about. We have amazing talent on this team and it's sad that we weren't able to show everyone in the conference what we had under our belt."
 
The duo was four-year members of the program and have each made their marks in their own ways.
 
Like in any sport, offensive numbers make the headlines. Watkins, a team captain, was one of the Maroon and Gold's top scoring threat the last three seasons. In her four years (52 games played), she scored 52 goals and added 23 assists for 75 points. Defensively, Watkins finds herself in the KU record books for a number of different categories. She ranks second all-time in caused turnovers (92) and seventh in ground balls (146) and draw controls (96).
 
"Kutztown Lacrosse has given me so much throughout my four years here, and the memories and friendships I have made are some that will last a lifetime," Watkins said. "I was able to grow my game and really put my skills to the test when I was on the field. I came in as a small freshman ready to prove to everyone that I belong here, and I feel I did just that and maybe more. Being able to make some career records is always an amazing accomplishment and something I am proud of, although I wish I was able to continue to add to these records, what I was able to leave to this team will always be good enough.
 
"This team means the world to me and I will forever be grateful for them and for making my last season here an amazing one, they really are my second family. I also can't thank coach Jackie Stezzi enough for coming into this program and turning it into something no one expected. She has always believed in me and has pushed and helped me to become a leader I always hoped to be for this team. I have loved all the four years I have played at Kutztown and I cannot wait to see what this team is going to prove next year."

Added Stezzi: "From the first time I saw Destanee play I was impressed with her speed, athleticism, and grit. She has been a key piece to our midfield over the past three years but stepped up her game significantly this season. In the five games we played, Destanee was a dominant force, making plays in tight situations and was truly exciting to watch. There is no doubt in my mind she would have been honored with an All-Conference nod had we been able to play."
 
Hill had played in 54 career games as a defender. She epitomized the concept of 'team player,' and did whatever was asked of her, including change positions. Hill finished with 51 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers.
 
"I've played in I think every game the last four years except maybe one or two, which I'm happy to say because not every college athlete can say that," said Hill. "But Kutztown Lacrosse has had its struggles, from coaching changes to just my class as a whole, starting with eight players and only ending with two of the original class. Not many people know this but I was originally recruited as an attacker and I was given the opportunity to play and possibly start my freshman year if I switched to defense. I had some great players ahead of me who thought me what I know now. They have helped me maintain my starting spot and my knowledge that I hope has helped me be a leader on the defensive end of the field."

The future plan for Watkins is to join the workplace as she has a job waiting for her after graduation this spring. For Hill, she is still debating about coming back next year to use the extra year of eligiblity that the NCAA has granted to spring seniors this year.
 
The senior class of Watkins, Hill and Bracken will be missed, just as the trio will miss the game of lacrosse. But they will always be able to remember their illustrious careers, including unique senior years.

"I will always be grateful for the way both Destanee and Rylee embraced my vision when I was hired, and continued to support the growth of our program," said Stezzi. "They were a pleasure to coach and will both be missed."