Woodinville High School has produced many things over the years. Whether its the amazing lady falcons with their dominance on the court, or the many talented musicians that make it to state competitions. But this year what is really standing out are the “Lax Bros” of Woodinville High School, who are extending their wings to what may look like the perfect season.
Who are the “Lax Bros” they are the members of Woodinville’s boys Lacrosse team, the Woodinville Falcons. If you were unaware of there even being a lacrosse team in Woodinville, no worries, it’s not your fault. First of all, it is only their second season as a team. And second, they are not a sanctioned team of Woodinville High School. So unlike the football, basketball, or baseball teams, they get no recognition at school. Not too many kids even know that Woodinville has a top team making the Washington lacrosse community turn heads and say really, Woodinville?
Last season, this team was just a mixed up bunch of kids from the high school, who were being coached by Woodinville High School’s Gavin Molitor, an English teacher who has great passion for this sport. Some of the kids came from the Northshore Lacrosse team. Those kids had been playing together for a couple of years, while the others on the team were relatively new to the idea of team chemistry. With not a senior in sight, the season looked extremely troubling and intimidating.
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The players faced teams that had been playing for several years, teams also with seniors on their roster. The situation led to a downfall for Woodinville’s first season. But with the tough losses they faced, the team gained knowledge and experience for this season.
Since the second season started back in mid March, the falcons have more than doubled the amount of wins from last season, winning ten straight games.
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- Woodinville vs. Providence, 11- 4
- Woodinville vs. North County, 19-7
- Woodinville vs. Skagit Valley, 16-1
- Woodinville vs. San Juan, 17-3
- Woodinville vs. Everett, 21-3
- Woodinville vs. Snohomish, 8-2
- Woodinville vs. Northshore (NL), 10-7
- Woodinville vs. Three Rivers (NL), 9-4
- Woodinville vs. Stanwood, 8-7
- Woodinville vs. Whatcom, 15-3
At the moment, they are sitting as one of the top teams to beat in Division 2 of the Washington High School Boy's Lacrosse Association (WHSBLA), with wins over big teams such as Providence and Snohomish. The Woodinville team sits in first place in their conference, and are one of few teams that have a perfect record. They have seen tough, aggressive teams who have tested their skills and abilities. They have also taken on teams who they have trampled.
But when these men win, they win with honor. They play with great sportsmanship, that most the time cannot be faltered. They never win and then talk smack about the team afterwards. And at the end of the day, they are all happy just to be playing lacrosse with friends they know and enjoy. It is always a great spectacle to watch this team compete.
The thing is though, only parents and close friends have seen this team perform. As the season pushes on, they will need the roar of a student section, like the games at Pop Keeney. If they were to get this support, maybe in a couple years they will be able to get the school to recognize their greatness. And when they do, the Woodinville lacrosse community will grow in numbers.
These men must be recognized for their ability to play to their fullest, to play even though not a lot of people may know they are doing so. All that Woodinville may know at the moment is that there is some weird sport being played down at Woodinville’s city fields from 3-5 p.m.
Lacrosse can be seen as a cross between many different sports. It has the movement and flow of basketball, but more aggressive like hockey. But instead of slapping a puck around on the ground, you must whip a thick rubber ball around the defense fast and deliberately so that you can find the openings to feed or shoot. And unlike hockey, the goals are not too small to shoot on. And unlike soccer, the goals are not too big. Lacrosse goals are 6 feet x 6 feet, with one man in between the posts. That position can be scary for some, that’s why it takes a man with great valor to face the near 90 miles per hour shots that are constantly ripped at him. This is a brutal sport that never lets you down on excitement and it has finally arrived in Woodinville.
Editor's Note: Andrew Miller is a senior at Woodinville High School and a member of the Woodinville Falcons.