In the game of lacrosse, there is nothing like the heat of competition, the rush of the ball in your stick, the roar of the crowd and the thrill of the win. Northview girls Lacrosse is willing to work hard to experience it. The team is four-time repeat conference champions and are striving for a fifth this season.
Andrew Bouwens is the varsity girls’ lacrosse coach. This season, they accomplished a remarkable feat under his leadership of 50 consecutive conference home wins over the last five years since he came on board as head coach. To prepare for success like this, the girls’ lacrosse team practices daily from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. They also compete at least once a week, usually starting at 5:00 p.m. Their first game was on March 19th, and their last game was on May 9th, making for a fast and furious season. With eight seniors graduating last year, a fifth consecutive conference championship seemed a far reaching goal to many on the team.
The fact the program has won four conference championships in a row and is on track for a fifth is a staggering accomplishment. Especially since Bouwens’ prior experience was as a swim coach and he was new to lacrosse being introduced to it when his daughter played for the Wildcats. He has goals and ideas to get this team to a fifth conference championship.
“It’s all about coming together as a team and trusting each other,” Bouwens said. “We can’t win another conference championship without team.”
Senior Lily Lindower is looking forward to the rest of the season, and she is ecstatic to win more games.
“I am looking forward to winning some more games, hopefully getting that ‘five p’ conference championship, and just seeing how far we can get,” Lindower said.
Lindower is trying hard to benefit the team by practicing her skills. A goal she has this season is to stay optimistic throughout the game.
“[I want to]stay motivated throughout it all and stay positive and upbeat even if we lose some games or some games don’t go how we wish, and keep pushing,” Lindower said.
Natalie Benedict and Lily Lindower
pose for a picture in their Lacrosse
uniforms. They worked hard over the past seasons
to get to where they are this season. Photo credit to C.J. Bushey.
Junior Taylor McCullough has an optimistic feeling about the rest of the season and high hopes for the team.
“I think just staying locked in and not taking anyone for granted,” McCullough said. “I think we have a very good chance at winning conference again as long as we all stay on the same page and respect everyone that we play.”
After achieving the impressive feat of scoring her 100th goal last season, McCullough much like her coach is locked in on the team this year.
“I would say our biggest goal this season is thriving as a team and getting like the team chemistry on the field,” McCullough said. “Obviously, it is cool to get personal achievements and that kind of stuff, but right now our biggest goal is making a run in the playoffs and also beating a tier one team [ like Rockford].”
Come watch and support the girls lacrosse team at Jension on 4/28. While supporting the lacrosse team, fans can get a tan while enjoying the nice spring weather. With community encouragement and support, the girls’ lacrosse team will win their fifth OK White conference championship!
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