As the fall season got underway, several Forester programs hit the road for early-season travel that blended competition with camaraderie. From the sun-soaked courts of California to the desert of Arizona and the heart of St. Louis, these journeys offered student-athletes the chance to bond, grow, and set the tone for the months ahead. Forester Athletics caught up with Meghan Winston (Volleyball), Vinny Colasacco (Football), and Gianna Logue (Women's Soccer) to hear how these early adventures helped shape their teams' identity.

Volleyball: "Tapping into the Cali Mindset"

For the Forester volleyball team, an early-season trip to Claremont, California became a defining moment both on and off the court. Competing against nationally recognized opponents, including Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Pomona-Pitzer, the Foresters were tested early, but those challenges sparked a wave of confidence and connection that carried well beyond the weekend.

"We went out there kind of seen as underdogs, but we held our own," said Meghan Winston. "The whole trip, on and off the court, helped our team chemistry blossom. It was just fun being together and competing at that level."

The team's travel began with an early morning flight out of O'Hare and several days packed with volleyball, team bonding, and plenty of laughs. Between intense matches, the group found time to explore Southern California, making memories that had little to do with volleyball but everything to do with unity.

For Winston, it wasn't just the competition that stood out. It was the sense of connection. "We were away from home, playing these big teams that maybe outsize or outrank us, but it proved that if we trust each other, we can do anything," she said. "That trip showed us how to rely on one another and play loose and free."

Off the court, one of the biggest highlights came when the team visited Disneyland. "That was my first time there," Winston said with a smile. "It felt like being a little kid again. We were all so tired from the day but still laughing and just enjoying it together."

The trip even sparked a team mantra that still carries weight weeks later. "Whenever we face adversity now, we say, 'tap into your Cali mindset,'" Winston explained. "That trip taught us to relax, play our game, and enjoy every moment."

Football: "Job Not Finished"

For the Forester football program, the 2025 season kicked off with a landmark experience: the program's first-ever trip to Chandler, Arizona, where Lake Forest faced Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in what became the first NCAA Division III football game ever played in the state.

The trip marked a major milestone for the team, both logistically and emotionally. "For a lot of guys, it was their first time flying," said Vinny Colasacco. "Not many people get to travel with over a hundred of their teammates across the country. It was a great experience, even though we didn't come away with the win."

The group flew out early Thursday morning and spent the weekend balancing preparation with a rare chance to enjoy the journey. Players shared meals, explored the area around their hotel, and soaked up the desert atmosphere together. "Coach Cat took care of us," Colasacco said. "We stayed in a nice hotel, and it was just a really cool experience all around."

Beyond the football, the trip gave the team's 58 freshmen, one of the largest incoming classes in program history, a chance to feel part of something bigger. "We had so many new guys," Colasacco explained. "That trip helped everyone bond faster. I roomed with one of our freshman linemen from Arizona, and getting to know him and his story was something I probably wouldn't have done otherwise."

Although the Foresters came up short on game day, the trip lit a fire for what's ahead. "If I had to sum it up, I'd say 'job not finished,'" Colasacco said. "We went all that way, prepared for months, and didn't get the result we wanted, but it brought us together. Now we know what it takes."

Women's Soccer: "A Weekend That Set the Tone"

The Forester women's soccer team's early-season trip to St. Louis, Missouri offered a perfect blend of competition and connection. Over the course of a few days, the team faced tough regional opponents and created memories that helped set the tone for what would become one of the program's strongest starts in recent years.

"It was such a good opportunity to play new competition and get out of our routine," said Gianna Logue. "But the best part was just being together, on the bus, in the hotel, at meals. We really got to bond as people, not just players."

After a long bus ride to face Greenville in their opening game, the team had to dig deep to perform right away. "We got off the bus, looked at each other, and said, 'We've got to make the most of this,'" Logue recalled. "We were tired, but we came together and got it done. That moment really ignited something for us."

The weekend wasn't all business, though. From late-night hangouts to brunch with the DeStefano family, who hosted the team before their final match, the trip reminded everyone why they love being Foresters. "We were doing hair, laughing, and just being together as a team," Logue said. "It was simple but so special."

More importantly, the trip reflected the team's mental toughness and balance as student-athletes. "We were still getting into the swing of classes, so a lot of us were finishing homework in between games," Logue said. "That's what being a Forester athlete is about, handling your business on and off the field."

The experience carried into the weeks that followed. "We realized how resilient we are," Logue added. "Even when we get scored on, we don't shut down. We fight back, and we do it together."

A Shared Foundation

Each Forester team returned to Lake Forest with more than just travel stories. They came back with a renewed sense of purpose and a stronger understanding of what it means to be part of the Forester family. These early-season trips reflected the heart of Lake Forest Athletics: compete hard, support one another, and make every opportunity count.

Special thanks to Meghan Winston, Vinny Colasacco, and Gianna Logue for sharing their experiences and helping tell the story of our Foresters on the road.