After taking third in the Three Rivers League as well as third in state last year, Tara Sonnemaker, junior goalie, hopes the girls lacrosse  team will ultimately make another appearance in state by placing second in league. Although three senior starters from last season were lost, Sonnemaker says the biggest advantage for the team this year is the amount of sophomore and junior scorers who were big contributors to the team’s success last season. With a few senior leaders this year, a healthy team and reliable scorers, the team is ready to face the season head on.
“This year, I think we’re going to focus on playing overall as a team rather than focusing on our individual performances,” Sonnemaker said. Hannah Weber, senior captain, agrees and adds that “we need to be in better shape and be focused at all times in the game whether we’re losing or not.” Rising above Lake Oswego after losing to them for third place in state last season is an important goal for the team, as well as taking revenge from Oregon City.
“Lake Oswego won the whole thing last year and we played them pretty close during the season,” Weber said. “We played them for third and they moved on to beat Oregon City in the title game.”
“Defense leads to offense,” Sonnemaker said. “Focusing on defensive stinginess is going to be crucial in coming out with victories over Oregon City and Lake Oswego this season.” According to Weber, competition is not going to be as difficult as last year because Oregon City lost their key three players this season.
“If we can shut down the one girl who scores a lot, I think we can beat them,” Weber said.
The first varsity game is a pre-season game next Tuesday against Beaverton, a projected win.
Practices bagan the last week of February, but when it comes to state and league months from now, the team is going to practice and play every day like the league title is on the line.