Decker leads by example

Coach praises senior for leadership, drive

Kyra Papafil / file photo Senior midfielder Gail Decker (No. 8) currently leads the NCAA in goals scored and points per game.

To get an indication of how talented women's lacrosse senior midfielder Gail Decker is, one simply should look at the numbers that she puts up. Decker leads the NCAA both in goals scored and points per game this season and is a candidate for the Tewaaraton Trophy, awarded to the National Player of the Year.

Decker may be the most accomplished offensive player in JMU's lacrosse history. She is first all-time in career goals scored and, as of Wednesday night's game against George Mason University, is second in career points all-time.

"Gail is the most well-rounded player I've ever been able to work with," coach Kellie Young said.

However, to understand the impact Decker has on the lacrosse field, one needs to look deeper than her personal statistics.

"As a captain, Gail brings such a strong practical strategy to the game," senior defender and co-captain Jessica Beard said. "She leads by example."

Case in point: With JMU losing 4-3 at halftime against the University of Delaware earlier this season, Decker led a seven-goal barrage by scoring four goals early in the second half. The Dukes built an insurmountable 11-5 lead and went on to a 13-7 victory over the Blue Hens.

"She was just fired up in that game," Young said. "She made a decision that we weren't going to lose."

In sports, bringing a solid game strategy and having the tenacity to rally a team are characteristics of being a leader.

"She's very unselfish," Young said. "Gail is just a great teammate and a great captain. This summer, her work ethic really kicked into gear, and you could tell that she wanted to lead this team to greatness."

No. 8-ranked JMU very well may be on the path toward greatness. The Dukes currently are 12-3 overall, 6-0 at home and undefeated against Colonial Athletic Association opponents this season.

The team also is 5-3 against Top 25-ranked teams, with impressive road wins against then-No. 18 Yale University, No. 6 Dartmouth University and No. 17 Towson University. According to both Decker and Young, these wins have the Dukes playing well at the right time.

"We have six seniors on the field and a deep bench," Decker said. "With the hard work that we [players] put in and our coaching staff, I believe we have a very good chance [to succeed]."

"We've had to work through some obstacles this season, and we've done that by maturing," Young said. "I think we're peaking at the right time. Right now we have a balanced attack, and our defense is really coming together."

According to Young, it also doesn't hurt to have an offensive captain who continues to perform well despite pressure situations.

Perhaps the most impressive fact of Decker's season is that she has played extremely well under national attention. As a National Player of the Year candidate, Decker is targeted, and wherever the Dukes go, she carefully is watched by opposing defenses.

"She has responded amazingly well to the pressure," Young said. "She's handled herself very well, and going up against the other teams' best defenders, she continues to respond and put the ball into the back of the net."

"She has so much confidence," Beard said. "Her drive is one of her greatest attributes."

According to Young, it was that very same drive and talent that led to her to recruit Decker out of high school.

In the spring of 2000, Decker was a Mount de Sales Academy senior in Baltimore, MD. when she was recruited by Young, then an assistant coach at Georgetown University. Decker ended up turning down the Hoyas and eventually decided on JMU, where four years later, she and Young reunited and have the Dukes poised for a potential National Championship run.

"This team has worked really hard," Young said. "The mentality here is that it doesn't matter who gets it done. It's a sign of maturity."

According to Young, maturity stems from strong leadership and, for JMU, that comes from co-captains Beard and Decker.

"As a captain, my role involves getting a feel for how the team is performing every game and making sure that everyone stays calm, cool and collected," Decker said. "I have four years of experience under my belt, so that allows me to stay composed and pass that down to the underclassmen."

As for the National Player of the Year Award, Decker, like many great athletes, lets her playing do the talking.

"I tend not to look at any awards polls because you're already focused on training and getting everyone on the same page," Decker said. "You just don't need additional things to worry about."

Young echoes this opinion. She believes Decker is one of the top players in the country; however, she also makes it clear that the awards are not what Decker is all about.

"Off the field, Gail is just an amazing person who understands the big picture," Young said. "The awards aren't something she wants above everything else. She loves her teammates and she loves playing this game."

Talent, drive and leadership make for a complete player on the field and a complete person off the field. According to her teammates and coach, Decker fits the profile.

"What I enjoy most is leading on the field," Decker said. "Every day I want to go out, improve my game and help this team."