Shira Stahl, Reporter & Designer
Ranking first in the Olympic Division with an undefeated record of league games, the Vashon Vultures boys club lacrosse team had a very successful season. While the team did lose one game in out-of-league play, their athletic prowess carried them to the state playoffs.
The team has shown impressive results in previous years as well. Since Daniel Macca began as head coach for the Vultures, they’ve made it to the state semifinals twice, including last year, and the playoffs every year but once.
This season, however, the team felt as though they came together in a stronger way from years past.
“We had a lot more success this year in playing as a cohesive unit,” senior captain and attack player Max Schira said.
Macca credits the team’s success to their hard work and persistence.
“We’ve been a really good team for several years, but this [year’s] team has worked really hard to get to the top of their conference again,” Macca said.
In one difficult game against Gig Harbor, a talented 3A team, the Vultures were down three goals with less than two minutes left in the game. The team evened the score with just seconds on the clock, before going on to win in overtime.
“Our junior class really stepped up their attitude and were a lot more dedicated to working hard and trying to get better every day,” Schira said. “Our coach also ran us really hard this season because we were such a small team and we needed to be conditioned.”
The team also values the importance of recognizing each of its players.
“Everyone from the freshmen to the seniors realizes that they play a very important role on the team and they all contribute,” Macca said.
Additionally, the group is able to balance their tight-knit camaraderie with a sense of serious dedication and focus on the sport.
“Our team is very close,” Schira said. “We really enjoy messing with each other and having fun, but when it’s time to work, we get down to it.”
However, the team’s success ended last month in a first round playoff loss to Liberty High School.
“I had expected to make it farther, but it didn’t work out that way,” Schira said.
Despite the disappointment, the team is determined to continue improving next year.
“We measure our success against what we believe our potential to be, not on if we win or lose,” Macca said. “Some teams are simply bigger and better but that doesn’t mean that you failed if you played to your utmost ability.”