![Game, set, and match. Corbin Atchley, sophomore, high fives Sanam Sidhu, freshman, after a rally with other club members. “I just joined [the club],” Sidhu said. “[I heard about it] on Instagram, they always post about it, I’ve been wanting to come. My parents used to play [net sports] too and they taught us, and then I learned from my brother.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MG_7715-2-1200x800.jpg)
![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
![The teams prepare to start another play with just a few minutes left in the first half. The Lions were in the lead at halftime with a score of 27-0. At half time, the team went back to the locker rooms. “[We ate] orange slices,” Malos said. “[Then] our team came out and got the win.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_2385-1200x800.jpg)
There is little room for the girls lacrosse team to improve after an impressive season, second place in State last year, but that will not stop the team from setting high goals.
This season the team looks to pick up where they left off, and have set its sights on the championship. Last season, the lacrosse team came close to its current goal, falling to Lake Oswego in the championship game, 15-13. This year, the roster is almost the same. Only three players did not return; Hayley Shepherd and Hannah Weber graduated and Alexis DaHarb, junior, moved to Colorado. Megan Elston, head coach, is confident in the new skill and leadership on the team to fill the gap left from last season, and make them a championship team.
Elston emphasizes the great overall talent she sees on the team from both new and experienced varsity players. The team brought on six new players, including two freshmen this season. She also said that the pace of the practices has become much more intense in order to help the team improve the most.
“We are constantly trying to keep the pace of our practices as game-like as possible. That is always the best way improve in terms of game sense,” Elston said.
Along with the skill she sees on the team, Elston is also impressed with the leadership from her players. “I have great leadership in all of my seniors: Tara Sonnemaker, Kayla Bouchard, Annie Longtain, Megan Longtain, [and] Kendall Cheever, and also my junior captain, Mariah Gatti.” Elston thinks that it is essential for the team leaders to be an example on the field to inspire the other players as well as working to keep the team focused throughout the season.
Elston also believes that having players from last season in leadership roles will inspire the team even more to reach their goal of the championship. “…there’s a certain drive that comes with getting so close last year…the team really wants a state championship.”
So far this season the team has played three games. They won their first two against Sherwood, 13-2, and against Wilsonville, 12-4. They lost their most recent game against the reigning champions Lake Oswego, 8-5.
