The start of spring means a return to the pitch for the boys and girls who play on Arapahoe’s lacrosse teams. Lacrosse, while not the most well-known sport at Arapahoe, is nevertheless among the most successful. In the past few years, the lacrosse team has accomplished many noteworthy feats. The boys secured the 5A state championship in 2009, and then narrowly lost to Regis High School in the semifinals of the 2011 season. The girls team also had success in recent history, with last year’s team ending a winning season of nine wins and six losses by barely missing the playoffs. Both the girls and boys teams, after making a few changes, are looking forward to a bright season this year as well.

Boys team primed for successful year

The boys lacrosse team is looking forward to a new season this spring, full of talented players including varsity captains Mitchell Boh, Bryce Parietti, Alec Geiser and Jack Bobzien, who all possess a few goals for their team this year.
“I think our biggest goal is to obviously win the state championship but also to make a statement to the nation about Colorado lacrosse,” Boh said.
In addition to many strong leaders rallying the team, varsity is also becoming adjusted to a new assistant coach Bart Sullivan.
“We got a new assistant coach, and he is really helping pull the team together,” Boh said.  
 The team’s confidence and expectations were raised even higher by their impressive win in march against the Desert Vista Thunder, at Pecos Park in Phoenix, Arizona. The Warriors charged on offense, locking in an exciting 14 goals. The defense was equally effective, holding the Thunder to only four goals.
The team wants to make sure that everyone is serious about achieving their original goal to make it to the postseason.
“ I think that we are capable of going deep into the postseason,” Geiser said.  “It really comes down to our everyday effort and how much we really want it.”
The team will be playing Eaglecrest, at 4:30 p.m. on April 11, at home and also Kent Denver High School, who last year finished their season with one of the best records in the league of 12-4, at 4:30 p.m. on April 16 at the LPS stadium.

New coach, new captain, new season

The girls lacrosse team began the season in an exciting fashion – starting with a double overtime home victory against Mullen High School on March 14. Senior Allie Camp led the team to a 16-15 Arapahoe victory by rallying the offense and scoring 10 goals.
“Allie Camp is one of our best attackers,” captain Molly O’Donnell said. “She knows exactly when to take it in, pass it off and some of her shots are just unbelievable.”
The Lady Warriors are coming into this year with an entirely new team; one that they believe will focus on teamwork, instead of individual success.
“This year we have by far the most skill we have ever had,” O’Donnell said. “Everybody contributes to the team, not just a select few.”
The Lady Warriors are becoming accustomed to the new head coach, Mimi Schatz. But even though the team has to adjust to this significant change, the Lady Warriors have had quite an impressive start to the season.
 “We’ve already started off the season with a bang, our record is 5-0,” senior Emma Lattin said.
Lacrosse is not a game strictly of physical strength, but requires the mental endurance to last a successful season. The team, thus far, believes that they possess this endurance and have high hopes for the rest of the season.
 “I believe we will go far this year,” Lattin said. “If we continue to secure our mental game, work as a team and always give 110%, this season could turn out amazing.”
The team is looking forward to their next game at 4:30 p.m. on April 11 at Newton Middle School against the Cherokee Trail Trailblazers.