Eagles playing in their third state championship game
By Dyuce Woodson
May 18, 2023 –Thursday was a special day for the Eastern High School girls’ lacrosse team. The Eagles were looking to win the program’s first state championship.
“It puts a little more pressure but it also makes it more worthwhile, like, to know that we’ve had the chances in the past and we kind of want to fight for those past teams,” Eastern senior captain Lilly J. said. “We want to give Eastern a name because I think the program has worked for it.”
This year marks the third time Eastern has gone to the state title game and Rylee Huffman was the head coach for each of the appearances. 2019 was the last time the Eagles played in the state title game – a game that’s hard to forget.
“Honestly, that’s one of the most challenging memories I have in my mind,” Huffman said. “Like, it was the hardest thing to get past. That’s a game that’s motivated us to keep working and to get back into this position.”
A number of current seniors were at that May 18, 2019 game, watching in the stands, including Sophie G. It was her birthday. And now she's playing in a championship game on her birthday, a date she shares with teammate and fellow senior Makeena W.
“I was just wanting to become a good enough player that I could play in a state championship," Sophie said. "So all the work I put in and getting there on my birthday is really exciting.”