Lacrosse moves into final four
By Helen Allrich
Sunday morning 24 Santa Clara women dressed in skirts and cleats took the field at UC Davis, determined and ready to win � after all, they were first in their league and the team to beat in the Western Women's Lacrosse (WWL) league play-offs. After two grueling games against Chico, an aggressive "in-your face" kind of team, and UC Davis, a team with impeccable skills, Santa Clara left as champions beating Chico 9-5 and UC Davis 10-5. They will advance to the Final Four.
"Finally, all the hard work came together, we just jelled," sophomore shooter Shiloh Uhlir said. "We scored 19 goals coming from at least eight different girls. From the moment that game began there was no doubt in my mind that we were going home number one."
With a solid defense based on seniors Lauren Russell, Lindsay Smith and goalie Kerrie Donovan, the ball was quickly cleared up to the mid-fielders and on to the offensive shooters like freshman Brenna Sweeney.
"We won a lot of games last season, but unlike last year these games have been won by every person on the team, not just by a few domineering all-star shooters," Donovan said. "Our wins have been based on a collective desire to come out on top and we've done that."
Last year they were ranked third in league. Now as number one, they have reached their goal of being first in the WWL league, which includes UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, Chico and University of the Pacific, and are ranked No. 22 in the Lacrosse Power National Rankings for the Women's Lacrosse Association.
"This is the most proud I've ever been as a coach," Goalie Coach Drew Whyte said. "These girls have shown me that they want to win and they have inspired me to be here and give it my all."
The playing caliber from this season has drastically increased from last year � a team that was coached by a soccer veteran with no lacrosse experience.
"All of the sudden, we had four awesome coaches who changed our team completely and their time is so appreciated," Russell said. "They gave us plays and told us when we lacked leadership. It just changed a lot because this year we finally have a neck-and neck-team where we're all competing for number one."
Like all seasons, the club team began practicing last October with over 50 girls. Slowly the numbers dropped off as practices increased to four days a week and mandatory dues of $250 was collected to cover costs of tournaments, refs and field maintenance. If any is left over it will go to the four coaches � Head Coach Brendan O'Brien, Whyte and Assistant Coaches Robin and Carla Bisio.
"Its been an extremely rewarding experience," said Santa Clara Alum and 8-year lacrosse veteran O'Brien. "It's very easy to put in free time for people who work hard and that is the essence of this whole team. The amount of effort, the amount of skill, the amount of times they learn with each other, bond with each other and to win like they won this past weekend the championship which was their goal, makes it all worth it."
With a league championship under their belt, the Santa Clara women's lacrosse team now focuses on the upcoming Final Four tournaments at Claremont next weekend where they will play UCLA who is No. 5 in the nation. If Santa Clara is able to win they will play Cal Poly who is ranked No. 2 in the nation and is No. 1 in the Southern WWL league.
"Being No. 1 in the north was our main goal," Russell said. "We're taking it one step at a time. We're looking at a lot of mental preparation. Always keep our heads up. We want to finish the game they way we came to finish it."