Story Courtesy of Joshua R. Smith
Fredericksburg (Md.) News-Post

It was the afternoon of Feb. 22 and Will Lane was doing what Will Lane did. He was playing goalie, a position he filled for most of his life on sports fields, including as a part of two Hood College teams.

On this particular day early in the lacrosse season, after a particular point in the Blazers' game against host Shenandoah, his body went on autopilot for nearly a quarter.

"I was just playing, just playing lacrosse," the Hood junior said. "Everybody says, 'Just don't think when you play.' I had no thoughts, I was just out there doing my thing."

He recalls nothing from that stretch of the game that bridged the third and fourth periods, but no goals were scored against him and he says his clearing passes were as accurate as could be while he ran the Blazers defense with his trademark cool assertiveness.

"I think I had two or three saves, from what I've heard," Lane said.

He wasn't in "The Zone" -- that sought-after athletic realm of unconscious, high-level play.

He was in a deep fog, brought on by a crushing cross-check.

Will Lane might as well be Frederick County's posterchild for the serious and raging issue of concussions in sports.

Difficult reality

Lane's performance from that portion of the game was apparently superb. He looks back on it as "scary." Either way, it was the last action of his career.

He is no longer a collegiate athlete. No longer a participant in any sport.

It might be that way forever. It probably should be.

"This is kind of a reality that I've had to live with," said Lane, whose headaches finally ceased about two months later.

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