![Reaching out. Christopher Lesh, student at Central Catholic High School, serves ice cream during the event on March 2, 2025, at the Portland waterfront. Central Catholic was just one of the schools that sent student volunteers out to cook, prepare, dish, and serve food. Interact club’s co-president Rachel Gerber, junior, plated the food during the event. “I like how direct the contact is,” Gerber said. “You’re there [and] you’re just doing something good. It’s simple, it’s easy, you can feel good about it.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/interact-1-edited-1200x744.jpg)
*WEB CONTINUATION: This article originally appeared in Volume 105 Issue 3 of our news magazine, Amplifier.
After spending the last four years competing next to each other, all 14 seniors joined together one last time for the 2025 womens lacrosse season.
On March 18, the team arrived at their first game of the season in Hood River against the Hood River Valley Eagles. Among them were captains Caitlin Juenger and Brooklyn Schiele, seniors, who lead the team and collaborate with co-captains Emma Lisiecki, junior, and Leia Gallo, senior. All captains work alongside head coaches Ben Finklea and Allister Bunch.
Schiele has been playing lacrosse since she was in second grade, and has played a variety of positions, including attack, midfield, and center.
“It’s not about the sport itself, it’s more about just being there with my team because they’re all my best friends,” Schiele said.
Last year, the team had four seniors. This year, they have ten more. According to Juenger, this aspect of the team comes with its advantages.
“We’ve been playing with these girls since youth, so having so many people that you’ve known forever on one team, it feels a lot tighter knit,” Juenger said.
Juenger is a defender, and this season will be her fourth year on varsity.
In the 2024 season, Schiele was awarded athlete of the week after being named first team All Three Rivers League at attack, and second team All-State honors for the same position.
“It hasn’t hit me yet that it’s happening. I’m just so happy to have it come full circle,” Schiele said.
As for the underclassmen,there are three freshmen on the team, including Evie Gallo, who plays alongside her sister, Leia.
“I’m happy I got to play with her for at least one year,” Evie said.
Being a freshman on a team with an abundance of seniors allows Evie to have a unique experience.
“Everyone’s so sweet,” Evie said. “If I ever need a ride to practice, I can always call them.”
In addition to their high school careers, both Schiele and Juenger have also played club lacrosse at Lacrosse Northwest together. Playing on two teams together every year for the past four years, the pair now faces the reality of their high school careers coming to an end.
“It’s kind of sad, but at the same time it’s kind of celebratory too,” Juenger said.
As captains, Schiele and Juenger assume extra responsibilities. These include leading warm-ups and cool downs and making a positive impact on the players on and off the field.
“I want to get away from focusing on myself and focus more on leading other people,” Juenger said. “Now that I’m here and I’m leaving, I want to make sure that I leave the team with some positive vibes.”
![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)
