40 JUNE 2023 By Mallory Gleich Spring sports have come to a close – and the lacrosse teams at Arcadia High, Brophy Prep and Xavier Prep are sending their senior players off with lots to be proud of. For those new to the sport, scoring works like this: offensive players use a lacrosse ‘stick’ to throw the ball into the opposing team’s goal (past the defenders and the goalie). Players receive one offensive point each time the ball goes into the goal. There are ten players on the field. However, if a team receives a penalty, they may have to play with nine or eight players depending on the length of the penalty and how many players were penalized. The team consists of a goalie, three defensemen, three midfielders and three attackmen. Read on to see how area teams did this season. ARCADIA HIGH The Titans geared up for their lacrosse season in February, although many players started early with Arcadia’s “fall ball program” that helps prepare the team for the main season. According to Coach Dwight Witherspoon, there are around 16 games played per year in Arizona, but that can vary as several Arizona Lacrosse League teams invite other clubs from outside the state to play in Phoenix. This year, AHS hosted teams from Nevada and Washington. Arcadia made it to the first round of the playoffs this year but lost after playing Perry High. With that loss came a win, though, as Arcadia gained an All-State selection in senior Kaidan Carr, who played in the All- Star Showcase game on May 12. “Lacrosse is often referred to as the fastest sport on two feet. It is no surprise that speed and quickness are always a premium. Outside of physical speed, fast thinking is also important. The game moves with constant substitutions, possession changes, etc.,” Witherspoon said. “Plays are changed during the fluidity of the game. Lacrosse is also a physical sport, and players should expect to play with a mental toughness to excel.” Arcadia was a young team this year and relied on first- and second-year students for key starting and backup positions. “Those players need to work on their physicality through strength training and stick skills during the summer,” Witherspoon said. “Many players will participate in summer travel teams and play in tournaments, attend lacrosse camps and clinics, while others will focus on wall ball training to improve their game.” Although the Titans didn’t make it to the championships, they said they still felt amazing after beating their primary rival, Chaparral High, to get to the playoffs. “That game was a one-point victory with just 30 seconds remaining in regulation. We were very happy to make the playoffs with such a young team, but of course, our goal is to go deeper into the playoffs and win championships. This will be our goal during off-season workouts,” Witherspoon said. Senior Garrett Nelson said that his ultimate goal this season was to be a good leader and the best version of himself. “I stayed motivated by chasing my goals, staying around positive people and continuing to want to be the best,” he said. “My favorite memory is the Sandstorm Tournaments and all the fun times spent in the locker room, laughing and celebrating with my team.” After graduation, Garrett will attend the University of Arizona and play lacrosse for the Wildcats while studying entrepreneurship. “This team always plays hard together. We were proud of how hard the boys worked to get better during the season and how well the seniors mentored the younger players,” Witherspoon said. “We are also exceptionally proud of our JV team. Many of the players were new to the sport or had only recently started. They were highly competitive this year, even against the league’s toughest opponents.” BROPHY PREP Brophy’s lacrosse team recorded a 19-10 victory over No. 2 seed Perry High School to win its second consecutive Arizona Lacrosse State Championship on May 5. The Broncos were led by offensive MVP Joshua Buse, with five goals and two assists. “We went into the game with a lot of grit and worked hard for this moment,” Joshua said. “We came through and won.” The top-seeded Broncos had goals from eight players, including five by Buse and junior Laird Miller. Freshman Eli Friedman, senior Ethan Swenson and junior Erik Volfson (who also had three assists) each added two goals. Perry, the only Arizona team to previously defeat Brophy this season, kept it close with three goals and only trailed 5-3 after the first quarter. “We had to ride the wave,” Joshua said. “There are going to be ups and downs. We capitalized on the moments we had.” Brophy opened the second quarter with five goals to extend the lead to 10-3 and eventually led 14-5 at the half. Junior Deion James was named the Defensive Player of the Game, recording 13 face-off wins with six ground balls. Freshman goalie Ryan Peitzmeier had eight saves in the net for the Broncos. Ethan Swenson had seven ground balls to lead the team. This was the third consecutive state championship appearance for the Broncos under Head Coach Pat Harbeson. “Brophy has some outstanding players and a tremendous team. It feels nice to win back-to-back, but it was not something we talked about during the season. It was about winning the day and the game, enjoying the journey and moments,” Harbeson said. “That way of thinking allows special moments to happen and realize how far we have come.” The Broncos finished the season with a 17-6 overall record. XAVIER At the conclusion of the regular season, the Xavier lacrosse team had 10 wins and three losses under their belts, with an 8-0 streak in Division II. The season started at the end of January and ran through the first week of May. The Gators played 14 regular season games, with semifinals and championship games happening at the finish. There are 17 players on the varsity squad, four of whom also play on the JV team when needed. “The team has a high lacrosse IQ, and our offense’s ability to score and run an offense, whether they are free playing or running a set, is definitely a plus,” Head Coach Diana Oduho said. “Their unselfishness and willingness to share the ball and assist is one of their greatest strengths.” Conversely, Oduho said that the team needs to work on defense, specifically stick work and their ability to clear the ball. “Five of our seniors are graduating, so we’re welcoming freshman and JV players next season. We’re working on getting our new players up-to-speed so everyone can work together,” Oduho said. The Gators headed to the AGLA Division II State Semifinal game on May 1, winning 21-8 against Corona del Sol High School. They then headed to the championship game on May 5 at Higley High School, where they lost to the Knights, 14-13. “This season has been a period of monumental growth and strong connections between our team. The chemistry on both sides of the field is almost magical to watch and be a part of,” senior Peyton Bryant said. “I’m glad my last season as a Gator has been so fruitful and so glad we got to go to state for the second time in the last three years.” “It’s been a really great experience with my teammates, the new ones and the ones I’ve been alongside for a few years,” junior McKenna Boyer said. “I’m happy to have had the chance to go to finals with them. It’s not every day that this opportunity comes around, especially with some people I’ve known and played with for six or more years!” Area high schools celebrate 2023 lacrosse season Brophy Prep won the Arizona Lacrosse League State Championship over Perry in May. Xavier Prep’s varsity lacrosse team. Arcadia High’s varsity and JV lacrosse squads. PHOTO: PATTY KENNEDY PHOTO COURTESY OF DWIGHT WITHERSPOON PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA ZUBA

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