Starting Sept. 16, 2024, the Eagle High lacrosse team began their annual Fall Ball season, which helps prepare the girls for the spring season and the Hot Potato Tournament. Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, the girls meet on the football field to practice from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.   

Excitement fills the air as the girls begin the uphill climb toward state championships, which has been a major goal throughout Coach Maddi Northcut’s career as the varsity coach. Last year, during the spring 2024 season, the team achieved second place in state.                                                                

Even with the team’s achievements they were challenged with only having a single team. Both JV and Varsity were combined due to lack of players. Another challenge being added on top of all that is that the infamous “Brick Wall” Kailee Dyberg graduated and the team is now in need of a good goalie to fill Dyberg’s shoes. 

Even with these setbacks, however, the girls are very excited to get back out on the field and play their hearts out. Despite the team needing new players, they often feel embarrassed or nervous to start playing. Often new players don’t know the rules or etiquette of the game. 

“Don’t be the winner and the bully, because there would be people who would be winning by a lot and then just be so rude and cocky because there winning,” said Senior Alyssa Adrian.  

Advice to all new players is to just be nice. Obviously, in the heat of a game, emotions run high and lacrosse is a contact sport, but at the end of the day, respect is a huge part of playing.  

Additionally, new players may not understand the game in general. There are 12 players on the field: four offenders, four defenders, one goalie and three midfielders.  

Now is the perfect time for new players to start and for returning players to dust off their sticks. See @eagle_womens_lax on Instagram for more information.