After seven seniors graduated last year from the girls lacrosse team, there is no doubt that the team is entering a new era. Two things will stay the same, however: Head Coach Sarah McKenna and the 15 returning players from last season.
Last season, the Kits finished 16-4, 6-1 CSL. They ended up going to the IHSA tournament, where their season was finished in the super sectionals against Loyola Academy.
The only team they lost to once was New Trier, which was their first game of the season.
“We won our second ever sectional championship and made back-to-back appearances in the Elite Eight. We were second in the conference. It was a good season for us,” said McKenna.
“Last year’s season was really fun. We had a lot of big wins that we haven’t had in a while. I think our team played well together. The starters were very strong, and everyone just had a lot of fun together, so it made it very enjoyable,” said senior Captain Bridget Lesch.
After the team lost 7 seniors from last season, the team is still learning how to adapt to the players they currently have.
“There are a lot of people stepping up to the loss of some really good seniors last year. I can see Kylie O’Connor stepping up. [Senior] Katherine [Granchalek] and I have been trying to lead the team for a couple of years now and there are a lot of juniors who I can anticipate stepping up this season,” said Lesch.
The juniors will feel comfortable stepping up because of their bonds with their teammates.
The captains usually run a lot of team bonding. We talk about things that they can do, and we have some traditions in the program that we always do together. For example, we have team sisters to support each other, go to games together, and we go out to eat,” said McKenna.
“Our first game of the season is against the defending state champs, Loyola Academy. So I think that would be challenging, but a good way to push ourselves right off the bat. I’m very excited to play York, because we lost last year by one or two goals, so that should be a fun game,” said Lesch. “Always keep an eye out for the New Trier game, because those always push us.”
Some things that fans should look out for this season include the games against “York and Lake Forest because those are supposed to be two of the toughest games for the team this season.”
The team also has a new goalie and new freshman joining the team.
The girls lacrosse season kicks off with an away game on Monday, March 17th, against Loyola Academy.
“Our first game of the season is against the defending state champs, Loyola Academy. So I think that would be challenging, but a good way to push ourselves right off the bat,” reflects Lesch.
