Lacrosse growing at area high schools

As of three years ago, lacrosse was almost non-existent at the high school level in the south Placer region, but today, six high schools offer boys' and girls' lacrosse as the sport's popularity continues to grow. Those schools are Granite Bay, Whitney, Del Oro, Rocklin, Woodcreek and Roseville High schools. At the collegiate level, as of 2018, lacrosse was the fastest-growing sport, according to a National Collegiate Athletic Association study. Despite its recent growth, lacrosse is the oldest recognized sport in North America and was played by various Native American communities as "The Medicine Game." "I got into the sport in sixth-grade looking for something to do alongside playing baseball and going into high school I ultimately chose lacrosse over baseball," Whitney High junior Caden Smith said. "This sport is really intriguing to me because there are so many minute details and things to go over in this game I can always improve on. Each and every player being able to make an impact on a team is very cool to experience." Smith currently has 33 goals in nine games for the Wildcats, which is second best in the Sac-Joaquin Section. Whitney High is currently 9-3 on the season. Whitney, Del Oro, Rocklin and Woodcreek High have had programs for three seasons while Roseville is in its first year as a program. The Tigers boys' team picked up their first win in overtime against Christian Brothers on March 23. The Granite Bay teams have been around for the longest since 2004 and began at the club level before Sacramento Valley Lacrosse was created in 2008 with other teams such as Oak Ridge, Jesuit, Davis and Bella Vista. The Grizzlies typically have a dominant team and the boys are currently 11-2 while the girls are 6-7. "The recent dramatic growth of lacrosse and the formation of two separate leagues (SFL and Delta) is a tremendous development and a recognition of the popularity of the sport," Granite Bay boys' coach Scott Pink said. "It is what we aspired to achieve over 15 years ago when we started our first team. The level and quality of competition now rivals that of the Bay Area, which is a great accomplishment." Some players are already making a big name for themselves as Del Oro High senior Colton Schweig has led the team in goals and is the first Golden Eagles player to earn a scholarship for playing lacrosse. Schweig will continue his athletic career at Adams State University in Colorado. "To go play at the next level is every little kid's dream and it has taken a lot of hard work and determination," Schweig said. "I'm a youth coach as well so I get to see some players come up, which is awesome, and seeing the sport grow locally is special. On the East Coast, it's crazy with programs everywhere." Schweig's father, Jeff Schweig, helps lead the program at Del Oro High and has seen the sport grow firsthand. The Golden Eagles are currently 8-5 and are coming off of a 13-3 win over Bella Vista on April 7. "I think schools and parents realize that it's a sport that anybody can play," Jeff Schweig said. "It's not like basketball where if you're not 6'6," you're not going to stand out where we have freshmen that are barely five feet tall and they are making a difference on the field. If you work hard, anybody can be a part of it." The Del Oro girls' team is 8-8 and has been led by senior Callie Pefferman and junior Hadley Geick, who have both scored 35 goals. Just like in other sports such as soccer, water polo and hockey, lacrosse has goalkeepers and their primary role is to save shots on goal and direct the defense. "I love the pressure of being in goal and watching the shots," Whitney High girls' goalkeeper Bridget Lane said. "I like the adrenaline I get when I make a good save or clear. I'm definitely a person that thrives under pressure and the position itself requires me to stay calm and collected under stress and pressure." Lane has 114 saves, which is the most in the section and Top 10 in the state. The Whitney girls' team is currently 4-11. While some schools have had programs since 2020, many teams have yet to be able to play a full, uninterrupted season until 2022, something that has been exciting for a number of coaches and athletes. "It has been really rewarding to have a bunch of new girls come out, experience the game, never playing it before and fall in love with it," Woodcreek High girls' coach Mike Strong said. The Timberwolves are currently 3-11 but are coming off of a 10-9 win against Bella Vista on April 8 where senior Fallyn Corbridge scored five goals and freshman goalkeeper Faye Lopez totaled 10 saves. While the team has many underclassmen, it doesn't mean they all lack experience. Players such as freshman Addie Strong play on competitive or travel teams such as Tenacity Bay Area Lacrosse and Lakeside Lacrosse. "I think we all learn from each other and I know I've learned from some of the girls on this team," Strong said. "Getting to play with new people and other schools around the community has been pretty cool." The Woodcreek boys' team is currently 4-5 and has been led by junior Camden Tronnes, who has totaled 23 goals. Rocklin High girls' team is currently 4-7 while the boys are 2-8. The Roseville High girls' team has yet to come away with a win but will have another chance after returning from spring break against St. Francis on Tuesday.