Girls’ lacrosse makes CIF for the first time in recent history

Samo girls’ lacrosse has faced a trying season this year, experiencing victorious wins and challenging defeats. They have ended off the season with a 9-10 overall record and a 2-4 Ocean League record. This year, for the first time since the 2023 season, the girls made it to CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs.

This year, the team had lots of new additions, including the junior varsity sector of the team, and a multitude of new players. Brian Patenaude, the head coach, expressed how talented and prepared the new members of the team were at the beginning of the season, and their notable improvement since. Patenaude expressed his experience with the team.

Kira Willinger / The Samohi

Samo girls’ lacrosse team captain Isabella Van Bilderbeek (’26) takes the lead at a home game, against Village Christian High School on April 22.

“The team that we had this season everyone was in, and I mean everybody. The dynamic and culture that we had this season was one of the best I’ve ever seen,” Patenaude said.

The junior varsity (JV) sector of the team, developed this year, was able to get in two sanctioned games, which were the first in Samo history. The JV team wasn’t able to have a full season because of their limited number of players, but the team hopes to have a full schedule with additional players next year.

Varsity started the season off strong with a 12-5 win against Peninsula High School, but then faced a tough 11-9 loss against Saugus High School. On March 4, Samo played their first home game against Dos Pueblos, winning with a score of 16-6. The team faced three more remarkable wins at the Rose Bowl Tournament against Northwood High School, El Dorado High School and Rosary High School.

Following the Rose Bowl Tournament, Samo lost 5-10 against Culver City High School. Samo proceeded to face a multitude of skilled teams and close games, with victorious wins and crushing defeats.

The Viking’s season came to a close on April 28 in the CIF playoff against Royal High School, where they lost 12-8.