Cathedral’s very own girls lacrosse team is currently undefeated in league after three consecutive games. They are 7-2 overall, with their only losses coming from Torrey Pines and Bishop’s. Last year, the team was 6-6 overall and had a winning percentage of .500. This year, the girls have an amazing winning percentage of .788.
“What is unique about our team this year is how it took only a few days for us to go from 19 different girls who play lacrosse to one family who knew we would have success,” senior co-captain Julia Kuykendall said. She said that this season is different from previous years because every girl is dedicated to work together and to do whatever it takes to win both League championships and CIF. Even more important, the girls are determined to get the first banners in the Claver Center this year for girls lacrosse.
Senior co-captain Kira Williamson also said that this season is different because the girls have a primarily younger team. “We have great team chemistry, everyone gets along. Julia and I have tried to make everyone feel like this is a family and we all trust each other. It’s easy to get along because everyone has pretty similar personalities. When you are close with people and understand them it is easier to work together better in the field because you want the other person to also do well,” Kira said.
In their first game against Scripps Ranch on March 13th, they won with 15 goals to the Falcon’s 12. With a win to start their season, they faced the Rancho Bernardo Broncos on March 17th and ended triumphantly, 15-9. On the 18th, the girls played Patrick Henry. They demolished the game with an outstanding score of 17-0. Yet to be beaten on March 20th by Westview, the team played a tough game, but still won with a close score of 10-9. The girls won another game 12-8 on March 24th as they faced the Mission Hills Grizzlies.
The girls’ first loss was to Torrey Pines on March 26th. The girls put up 10 goals to the Falcons’ 16. However, they beat the La Jolla Vikings on March 28th, 18-5. Their second loss was to Bishop’s on March 31st with a close score of 16-15. They recently beat Mater Dei on April 3rd,16-5, on our home turf. The girls also beat the Coronado Islanders on April 4th, 15-13. They next play Mount Carmel this weekend.
Keeping a good record, however, is not that easy. Julia said, “Each game we prepare by coming out to warmups focused and ready to win. We go over our personal goals and our team goals for every game.” Kira prepared for every game by listening to her music. “I try to blast pump up music and just sit there. My team tries to take warm ups pretty seriously and focus on our passing and catching.”
This determination and this mindset has only aided in their success. The team is currently ranked fifth in the San Diego Section Division I rankings is in the top 60 teams rankings in California.
But, in order to have a good team, chemistry is important. Julia said that the chemistry on the girls’ lacrosse team is “amazing,” and said that they, “are a close-knit family that has the perfect balance of laughter and fun as well as keeping each other focused so we can reach our goals.”
The team’s drive to win League and CIF doesn’t stop there. The seniors have an even more powerful determination to win because they want to leave a legacy. A legacy that makes Cathedral history.
In the end, the girls still value having fun, because what else is more important in high school. “We all have something different that we say and do. Certain people have their own catch phrases. We are also a team of jokesters, someone is always pulling a prank on a teammate or coach,” Kira said.
Come out and support the girls lacrosse team as they honor our military this Saturday, April 12, for a Military Appreciation Day. The girls will play Mount Carmel at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds benefit the Navy SEAL Foundation and the Warrior Foundation.
