May 27, 2025 by Savannah Winter (‘26)
As the regular season of spring sports is coming to a close and the sectional tournament is opening, it is important to look at some of the top school sports still exceeding and fighting for the sectional championship title. The girls’ lacrosse team, specifically, has had an incredibly exciting role in the tournament so far. While starting as the fourth seed going into sectionals, the girls’ team knew they had a series of tough games and challenges ahead of them. Top seeds such as Shen, Shaker, and Niskayuna posed huge threats that the Saratoga team became very aware of pre-tournament. However, they didn’t let a numbered seed stop them as they gained momentum and confidence quickly.
As some key players on the team graduated last year, the girls had to quickly change and adapt both their setup and chemistry for the upcoming season. The team had an 8-8 record going into sectionals in addition to being named the #4 seed. Although the girls’ lacrosse team lost to several schools they would have to play again in sectionals, they did not let that stop them in the slightest but instead used it as motivation to achieve their goal of defending their two-year sectional championship title. The quarter-final round of sectionals was played against Colonie Highschool, a team Saratoga lost to earlier in the season. Despite the previous loss, Saratoga quickly asserted dominance in the game by winning 12-7. This was a huge win for the Saratoga Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse team, but they remained focused on what was to come in the next round in the near future. Just two days later, the team had to play their next tough team Shaker, the number 1. seed, who defeated them also in the regular season. However, with an incredible amount of determination and resilience, the Saratoga team hugely upset Shaker with an 11-4 win. This was a turning point in the sectional tournament which showed viewers how unstoppable they were in addition to their capability of winning the sectional title all together.
Addison Jones, a strong low attacker, is a junior on the girls’ Varsity Lacrosse team. She describes both the physical and emotional aspects of the team as they approach the final round of sectionals for the third year in a row. In the beginning of the spring season, the girls experienced some losses but as the team regained strength by upsetting several teams, their overall performance grew.
In addition to how they look on the field, the emotional connections and bonds on the team are what really allow communication and victories to flourish.
Jones states how the girls “have grown as a team over the season” and it “really shows on the field”. As the team went through several ups and downs, the bonds between the girls became stronger both on and off the field as Jones says how “we never failed to build each other up” which can be seen through the enthusiasm and excitement the team exhibits. Of course, the team is nervous going into sectional finals but after defeating several teams they previously lost to, the entire team is “excited for what’s to come” (Jones 26’).
The girls will play Niskayuna at Shen Highschool on Wednesday, May 28th where they will compete for the sectional title in hope of gaining a three-peat. Although the team lost to Niskayuna in the regular season, these losses have not defined the team in the slightest as they continue to advance. The girl’s resilience and motivation has helped them significantly during sectionals as they move into the final round. The tensions and nerves are becoming more real but with the help of each other, the Saratoga girls’ lacrosse team will use their enthusiastic spirit, strong bonds, and determination to fight for the championship title.