The last time an Eastside Catholic team claimed a state championship, the Cold War was going strong, and the Internet was still a decade from becoming popularized.
On Saturday, after a 26-year drought, the Crusaders’ girls lacrosse team finally ended the streak by hoisting a Division II state championship trophy after its 17-5 victory over Kennedy Catholic. It marked the first school team title for Eastside Catholic since the girls cross country team won the crown in 1984.
“This means the world,” said junior Alex Foreman, who scored nine goals in the title game.
Despite the lopsided final, the game remained close through the first 10 minutes with Kennedy carrying the lead on three occasions. The Lancers last lead came 7 minutes, 46 seconds into the first 25-minute half when Shey Thommasen gave them a 3-2 advantage.
“Not having played them or even see them play this year, it was something we knew was going to take a lot of on-field adjustments,” Eastside’s third-year head coach Colette Foreman said.
The Crusaders made those quick fixes, and it was all Eastside Catholic from there.
EC outscored Kennedy 7-1 over the final 17 minutes of the first half for a 9-4 halftime advantage. Alex Foreman scored seven of her nine goals in the first half.
“My strategy was to just put the ball in the net, that’s how I play,” she said.
The Crusaders kept their foot on the pedal going on a 6-0 run over the first 15 minutes of the second half for a 15-4 lead.
Lauren Breynaert added four goals, three ground balls and five draw controls, while Amanda Tsitsis scored two goals with an assist.
Sophomore goalkeeper Allie Hawes had seven saves for Eastside Catholic.
The victory was extra special for the Crusaders as they claimed the crown on their turf at Charlie Acosta Field in Sammamish — the site of the Division I and II girls lacrosse titles the last two seasons.
“When we were watching those teams play last year, we knew we just wanted to be here,” Colette Foreman said. “This is our field and we wanted it.”
This is the sixth year Eastside Catholic has had a girls lacrosse team. Two years ago they finished 4-10, before losing in the first round of the playoffs last season. They finished the 2010 campaign at 10-2 in the 16-team Division II conference.
“To come from so low to so high, it’s like we’re on top of the world right now,” Hawes said.
Lakeside takes fifth straight Division I title
Sarah Pollnow scored seven goals Saturday to lead Lakeside 15-10 defeat of Bainbridge for its fifth consecutive girls Division I high school lacrosse state championship at Eastside Catholic.
The Lions finished their season at a perfect 16-0.
