The girls lacrosse team at Washington High School is gearing up for an exciting season. With a mix of newcomers and returning players, the team is focused on sharpening their skills, setting goals, and building chemistry.
Senior player Chloé Makayi shared her excitement for the new season. “Our upcoming season is a vision of spring,” she says. Makayi emphasized that this is her last season and she wishes to make the most of it. “It’s something we want to savor, especially as a senior who is matriculating. It’s just carrying on the fun from last year with minute changes to bring us to the next level.”
Another senior player, Rachel Ereño, adds that “I think one of our goals for this year is to get better at offense.” Ereño reflects on the past season and hopes to see improvement in the team’s upcoming season. “Our defense is actually pretty good but we really need to work on scoring,” she says.
The team is looking forward to a great season with lots of improvement. However, they also wish to continue enjoying the fun moments they experienced last season.
Makayi recalls her favorite game last season: “My favorite memory was playing in the rain. It was cold and frigid, but it was raining,” she says. Even though the weather wasn’t ideal, the team’s energy and determination made this game unforgettable. “People were slipping, it was messy and disjointed on both ends of the field and it was fun. We were also trying out new formations so everything was just up in the air,” she adds. Makayi’s reflection highlights camaraderie and resilience that returning players are bringing into the new season.
In contrast, Ereño recalls a challenging yet uplifting moment from the last season: “We lost every game last year and hadn’t even scored a singular point. Until this one game—I forgot who it was against—where one of the underclassmen actually scored.” Moments like these, both triumphant and tough, have set the tone for a season full of learning and growth as a team.
The team’s excitement extends to every practice. According to Makayi, “a typical practice looks like a dog on a roller skates; it’s messy—we’re trying to understand each other and maintain balance.” Practices involve running drills, practicing passes and shots, and working on communication and coordination. While it can get chaotic, it’s all part of learning to play together and build trust on the field. “It’s really about nailing the basics,” Makayi adds.
Similarly, Ereño emphasizes the chaotic nature of the team’s practices. “Practice is kind of a mess. I think the hardest thing about lacrosse is getting the basics down. Simple throwing and catching can be very difficult for beginners and cradling is a whole other level of evil if you’ve never played before,” she says. “So, hopefully this season we’ll be able to focus on other stuff like game strategy.”
The combination of learning fundamentals and building teamwork shows how the team balances fun, challenges, and growth, making every practice an important step toward a successful season.
With the season just beginning, the team is already showing dedication, energy, and a love for the game. As Makayi and Ereño both agree, the focus is not just on winning, but growth as a team. “Lacrosse is a wonderful sport and I wish it was given a chance to lavish,” shares Makayi.