Samo girls’ lacrosse ends challenging season with progress and promise
Samo girls’ lacrosse wrapped up a challenging season with a 6-13 overall record and an 0-2 league record. Samo played their last game of the season against Village Christian High School, losing 9-15. This year, they unfortunately fell short of making CIFs, however, they were able to focus on building up team community and strength.
For their 2025 season, girls’ lacrosse has a multitude of 15 new freshman players. The team used the many opportunities this season gave them to expand and hone their team skills. While there are seven seniors graduating including Hayden Hansen (’25), Ila Labb (’25), Sydney Ong (’25), Sophie Roth (’25), Hailey Schreier (’25), Tess Sloan (’25) and Isabella Tarin (’25), the current freshmen show large potential and are motivated for their next season. Team coach Brian Patenaude expresses his perspective on the season.
“The team grew from every game, but especially the games we lost. We learned what we do well and what we need to get better with the game of lacrosse,” said Patenaude. “We started learning how to play with no hesitation and play together.”
Arata Sakamoto / The Samohi
Isabella Van Bilderbeek (’26) plays against Beverly Hills High School on March 21, Samo Girls Lacrosse Senior Night, winning 19-6.
Samo faced losses in many trying matches, but overall was able to experience closer and closer losses, showing great progress. Samo played Culver City on March 5 and 21, and while they didn’t win either, they improved on the field. Tehmina Zarin (’26) speaks on her experience during the season and their games against Culver City.
“I feel the season was a great building and teaching opportunity. I think we did pretty good for the teams we played, and when it counted, we did perform,” said Zarin. “We played Culver City twice and the first time we weren’t very close to winning, but the second we only lost by a few points which shows massive growth and great performance.”
However, Samo pulled through the season with some solid wins including a 22-13 win against Hart, a 10-5 win against Chadwick, a 17-6 win against Palisades, a 14-10 win against Valencia and an impressive 14-3 win against Beverly Hills. Additionally, Samo, playing Beverly Hills for a second time, had a spirited and memorable senior night with an emphatic 19-6 win.
“Our senior night felt very successful because every senior, including the defenders, scored a goal which was a big highlight,” Labb said.
Arata Sakamoto / The Samohi
Sydney Ong (’25) (left) and Hayden Hansen (’25) (right) play on their senior night, April 21, against Beverly Hills High School winning 19-6.
Coach Patenaude is enthusiastic and hopeful about lacrosse’s next season. Returning players are already working hard to get ready for next season and Patenaude believes in their bright future getting back into the playoffs. The team had an overall great season for learning better communication and teamwork. Hansen expresses her gratitude for her senior year experience.
“Throughout the season I feel we became so much closer as a team, I’m really proud of our girls for everything we’ve achieved and worked so hard towards,” Hansen said.