The girls varsity lacrosse team was perhaps the most successful team in Annandale spring sports this year. Although the girls did not have the best record in the regular season (7-8), they were able to pick it up as they entered the conference playoffs ending the regular season 11-9.

The girls closed their regular season with three straight wins, which gave them more confidence for conference. Entering the tournament, the Atoms took on the West Springfield Spartans in the first round and the W.T. Woodson Cavaliers in the second round defeating both teams in a convincing fashion.

These first rounds of conference were not the best performances by the girls as on May 13 they faced a very impressive South County team for the Patriot Conference Finals title. Nonetheless, the Atoms were very imposing against the Stallions and became conference champions by defeating the Stallions by a score of 13-7.

After winning the conference, the Atoms advanced to the regional tournaments. In the first round of regionals the girls faced off against the Oakton Cougars with the home field advantage.

The game proved to be a thriller as the two teams exchanged goals early on, but the Cougars were eventually able to grab the lead. The Atoms were down 11-9 with little time remaining, but were able to rally and tie the game 11-11 to force overtime. The tie did not last long however, as the game was a mere 40 seconds into OT when the Atoms scored to win 12-11, capping off the phenomenal comeback.

The girls continued on to play against the Patriot Pioneers in the second round of the regionals tournament on May 19. The Pioneers jumped out to an early  5-0 lead, but the Atoms’ effort cut down the Pioneer lead to 2 goals as it was 9-7 Pioneers at halftime.

With about 4 minutes remaining in the match the Atoms found themselves down 16-12. The girls were able to score two more goals to cut the lead to 16-14, but there was just not enough time left.

Unfortunately for the Atoms, this was their last game of the season, as the loss to the Patriot Pioneers eliminated them from continuing in the regional tournament. “I feel like we should’ve won but we did the best that we could for the game we were given,” sophomore Grace Hatch said.

However, the team still had a lot to be proud of after getting their season off to a rough start, they made adjustments and put forth their best effort which led them to winning conference. “I feel like for the season we went as far as we could and had a pretty successful season,” Hatch said.

Many seniors will be leaving the Atoms varsity lacrosse team after this season, some to continue playing lacrosse at the collegiate level. Seniors graduating this year were very talented and were a huge part in the team’s success.

Yet there were still many sophomores and juniors on the varsity squad this year who will be returning to play next year. A positive for the Lady Atoms here is that now that the underclassmen have played a season together, they will have improved chemistry for next year.

The girls had great accomplishments this year but were not able to continue to further rounds of regionals and states as they would have liked. This accomplished season has motivated the girls to continue their success for next year’s season. The girls still have great hope for next season and beyond to win and reach higher levels on the region and state.