Stadium lights illuminated the field, and the PQ Tigers, the recreational youth lacrosse league, waited in the stands as Grace Leventhal (11) faced off rival Mt. Carmel in the first draw of the girls lacrosse game, April 24. At the referee’s whistle, the ball shot up into the air, and both teams rushed to get possession.
Westview took first possession of the ball, with Leventhal scoring right away. As the first quarter progressed, the score was tied 3-3. Juliana Joy Cruz (12) said the team’s energy propelled them to take the lead in the second quarter, 7-5.
“For us, our energy easily bounces off of each other,” Joy Cruz said. “So when we went into the game, we were hyped and ready because everyone on the team was putting their best foot forward. I feel like that helped it a lot, because our teammates wanted to win, not just for ourselves, [but] for our [team] and I think that game really reflected [that], especially because we were up in the second quarter.”
During halftime, the PQ Tigers 7/8 youth girls lacrosse team entered the field to play a scrimmage between themselves for the rivalry game, with the K/2 Tiger team cheering them on. The PQ Tigers is the recreational lacrosse league for elementary and middle school children in Rancho Penasquitos.
Kalea Kennedy (12), Lillian Wong (9), Autumn Ha (11), and Cruz, the coaches for the two teams, watched the Tigers play. Kennedy and Cruz are coaches for the K/2 girls and have been coaching them for two years. Ha has been coaching the 7/8 girls for two years, and Wong started coaching them this year alongside Ha. According to Ha, she implements her current lacrosse experience to help train her team.
“Whatever we do here at Westview, I always implement into coaching,” Ha said. “Taking what I know already, plus what I learn, helps elevate their game so much because they are already playing at that high school level. Adjusting to what [skills] they need but also being able to push their limits is what makes them better and how they succeed.”
Joy Cruz, who coaches the K/2 team alongside Kennedy, said having her young players support her during the game helped her stay determined to perform well.
“I think it helped that the little girls were there because, for me, watching the girls I coach being able to see me play made me super excited,” Joy Cruz said. “Even though I’m not talking to them [while I play], I’m influencing them for the future to see what they could pick up.”
After starting her lacrosse journey with the PQ Tigers, Ha said being able to come back and coach the team was sentimental for her.
“I started lacrosse with the Tigers, and my first coaches really made an impact on me and how much I love the sport,” Ha said. “PQ Tigers was such a pivotal time for me as a player, but also as a person. I’ve met some of my best friends from Tigers, and seeing those same connections again through the girls is nostalgic. The community built at Tigers is very special to me, so being able to give back and further that for the girls feels amazing. Being a fly on the wall in their experiences is what makes coaching so fulfilling for me.”
Not only has Ha been able to teach the younger players fundamental skills, but she has also been able to learn important leadership qualities throughout her coaching journey.
“I have definitely leaned more into the leadership role and the responsibility that comes with that,” Ha said. “Coming to coaching, the girls expect things from me just like how I expect things from them. Being a role model for them is important for me, and they look up to me inside and outside of lacrosse. Bringing this to Westview, I’m able to be a leader on and off the field. Being able to hold myself and the team to a higher standard helps push us beyond what we thought we could do.”
After the halftime scrimmage, Westview reentered the game, scoring two more goals but falling behind to Mt. Carmel. The game ended in a 13-9 loss.
With some of the players on Mt. Carmel being former teammates of the Wolverines from PQ Tigers, Ha said the friendly rivalry kept the game exciting and enjoyable for both teams.
“It was so fun,” Ha said. “Whether we won or lost, knowing [that] after the game we are all still friends and will be giving those post-game hugs and smiles was amazing. Of course, saving their shots gave me a confidence boost, but that continuous rivalry throughout the game is what truly kept all of us going.”
Even though the game ended in a loss, Joy Cruz said the players’ consistent energy and determination to play their best made the game fulfilling for the team.
“This was probably one of our best games this season, even though we lost, because the score doesn’t really reflect who we are as a team, because it’s how we play that reflects who we are as a team,” Joy Cruz said. “As long as we play like we did in the game, we can go really far.”
