After winning the Santa Barbara Shootout and two home games, the women’s lacrosse team has high hopes for this year's season with an undefeated record of 5-0. With new freshmen players, a new assistant coach and good camaraderie among players, the team has a recipe for success.

The Santa Barbara Shootout started the season with four games over the weekend of Fri. Feb. 2, and Concordia left being undefeated, going 3-0. They defeated San Jose State 17-2 on Feb. 2 for the regular season opener. On Feb. 3 they won against Chico State 13-1 and UCLA 8-7. The fourth game of the shootout on Feb. 4 against Saint Mary’s was canceled due to inclement weather. 

Sophomore Maya Kay, a player on defense, enjoyed the opening season games and felt it boosted the team’s comradeship. “Santa Barbara was great for team bonding because we got to be with one another on and off the field throughout the weekend,” Kay said. “It was a good opportunity to see the skills we’ve been training throughout the fall being executed on the field this season.”

Women’s lacrosse continued this win streak back on campus with their home opener against Biola, winning 12-6 on Feb. 10. Their most recent game was on Feb. 18, where they won against Northern Arizona University with a score of 10-6.

Junior and midfielder Genevieve Maczko has played lacrosse for nine years and appreciates her fellow teammates’ spirit. “We have each other’s backs on and off the field,” Maczko said. “It’s been a group effort from everyone on the team and the coaching staff to win the past five games. We have all worked harder, set higher goals for ourselves and kept positive mindsets.”

Players on the team commented that it feels fuller with the ten new freshmen players and that they bring a lot of skills and energy to the field. One of these freshmen, Lyndsay Devargas, plays the attack position on offense and has appreciated the opportunity to play for Concordia. “Playing on a collegiate team is more fulfilling because you have a community there for you,” Devargas said. “It's a whole different level, at a higher and faster pace.”

Another new addition to the team is graduate assistant coach, Sarah Watts. Last year, the women’s lacrosse team did not have an assistant coach, and many players expressed their appreciation of Watts alongside their head coach, Dylan Miles. Having two coaches to lean on for support and guidance has benefited the entire team.

“Sarah is a defensive specialist, but she helps all around and is well-versed in every position,” Devargas said. “She’s uplifting and kind and is always there to make sure we are confident in our abilities.”

The team encourages students and faculty to attend and support their next upcoming game for this season, whether at home or away. Their ultimate goal is to win the rest of their matches in the West to move on to playoffs in Arizona in May. “We like feeling the support from our fellow Golden Eagles to motivate us to fight hard during our games and win for the school,” Kay said. 

Upcoming home games are on Sat. Feb. 24 against Cal State San Marco, Sat. March 2 against UCI and Sat. March 9 against University of San Diego. Follow @cuiwlax and @cuigoldeneagles on Instagram for updates or visit cuigoldeneagles.com.

Tags: women's athletics, Lacrosse

---

About Heather Hershfield

More articles by Heather Hershfield