A new sport has been added to growing list of cross-district teams. Girls Lacrosse has already begun its inaugural season and expectations are high.
“It’s time to make history,” says senior lacrosse player Rachel Aube.
Officially, the team is known as Chapin Lacrosse but the squad is made up of twenty-six athletes hailing from all three Lexington/Richland high schools.
“Our practices are either at the Alternative Academy here in Chapin or on the SOAR fields at Irmo,” says Lacy. “It provides a neutral meeting place that is convenient for all of us.”
The girls are all one family and one team working together. They may be from different schools but they have one goal- win.
“It gives me a chance to do something other than work, and a chance to meet new people,” says junior Shelby Lacy.
Team spirit and camaraderie are crucial to this season’s success. School rivalries and preconceived notions of student stereotypes are put aside. Team play is not the only path to a successful season. Strong scoring from juniors Haley Spearman and Courtney Johnson has also been critical to a strong start. Scoring alone does not win matches as starting senior goalie Annie Lee can confirm. With thirty-two saves, she has been a powerful presence in the crease.
Lacrosse Hall-of-Famer and coach, Kim Curnutt says has been impressed by the team’s attitude so far.
Irmo junior Courtney Johnson has loved every moment of the sport even if she does not go to Chapin. “It’s difficult of course to put on light blue and navy after so many years of wearing black and gold. It’s not about the colors you wear, or the school you play for. It’s the spirit of the game,” said Johnson.
The girls are already off to a great start. Some of the teams they face have experienced programs like local powerhouse Blythewood. Others like A.C. Flora and Ridgeview are just starting.
As time goes by, they have discovered their true rivals.
“It was hard at first trying to become a team, but we had to realize that we aren’t rivals in any way, we are one team,” says Aube.