Written By: Sakura Snyder, Staff Writer
EXCITING: Girls Lacrosse earns an overwhelming victory against Valencia High School in their first home game at Poly, and players reflect on their feelings regarding the team’s results and season.
For many different sports at Poly, the beginning of the spring season brings a special kind of excitement into the air. The Girls Lacrosse team proves to be no different to this fresh atmosphere,and as they walked onto their field on February 23, 2024, the varsity bears were ready to dominate their first home game of the season.
Although the game started off a bit slow in the beggining, Poly quickly reached the upper hand over Valencia. Players on attack and midfield, particularly Sophia Cisneros (12) and Ryan Sigloch (12), had an incredible sense of communication that led to incredible scoring and passing in all areas. Like a puzzle landing into place, each small contribution made to get the ball across the field, led to a satisfying goal for the bears. Defense proved to be far from any disappointment as well, as they demonstrated their powerful ability in creating an unbreakable barrier of protection for the goalie. The opposing team seemed to have a tough time making more than one goal at a time when facing Poly’s defense, which only further proved how the team poured their full hearted effort into every swift cradle.
The last whistle sounded by the referees at the end of the fourth quarter meant one thing and one thing only, the score had finally been sealed in, and the game came to an end. Everyone on the field seemed to immediately stop what they were doing and nervously glanced up at the board for confirmation. That is when the crowdsaw it. Beaming in all its glory, a score of 17-6 shone in bright orange to reveal perfect victory.
Shortly after the game, some players were asked about their feelings regarding the win. Gisselle Cline (11), “felt really good” about the game. As for how she felt about her own performance, Cline voiced that she was “super proud of [her]self.” As a junior playing on varsity for the first time, she actually scored her first official goal this game. This was a powerful and exhilarating experience for Cline, especially because she had made a direct impact on both the scoreboard and team. Henrietta Aguayo (12), while also happy about her overall performance and game playing, was slightly stressed about the fact that this match would be the “last first home game for seniors.” As a senior, Aguayo is constantly reminded of having to leave the team in only a few months, and even in the case of a victory like this, she can’t help but harbor some bittersweet feelings about it. Many seniors on the team have the same thoughts as Aguayo and think about how they are both nervous and excited to continue playing into the season because it means that they are getting closer and closer to entering a new era of their life.
Undoubtedly, this first home game was one for the books in Poly Girls Lacrosse history. No matter how the rest of their season plays out, Girls Lacrosse will always play their heart out. Go Bears!