Westridge’s lacrosse season came to a close this past month, after reaching the CIF Quarter Finals. Including CIFs, the team had an overall record of 14-5. These stats compile to make the 2025 season the most successful Westridge lacrosse has ever had. Head Coach Emily Mukai urges players and viewers to not only celebrate the season results but also the growth and commitment the team exhibited to get there.    

Overall, various factors contribute to the team’s success, including the close connection the team shared.

“I feel like no one was scared or hesitant to talk to the upperclassmen, which was a great feeling. We all took leadership roles,” said Layla R. ’27, a midfielder on the team.

With the dedication and commitment from all players, the team’s chemistry was not by accident. Coach Mukai and upperclassmen made it a priority to make everyone feel included through an overnight Santa Barbara tournament, pep rallies, and overall encouragement. 

Senior Sarah L., in her fourth year on the team, said, “[I try to make] the underclassmen feel how I wanted to feel as a freshman, and make sure if they drop the ball, just pick it up and keep going, because everyone makes mistakes, and learning that everyone has a place on the team.”

From 2020 through 2021, there was no lacrosse team, but when the sport resumed again in 2022, Coach Mukai started from square one. From uniforms and gear to players and strategy, everything was brand new. While these fundamental changes were quite the undertaking, they ultimately shaped the team into what it is today.

“I would say this year’s team was the first actual lacrosse team that this school has seen,” she said.

Coach Mukai, with the help of assistant coach and Upper School History Teacher Ms. Jennifer Cutler, wanted to create a culture of commitment and belonging. 

It has been particularly important for Coach Mukai to establish a Middle School program for lacrosse at Westridge, in addition to hosting clinics for Lower Schoolers.

Introducing students to the sport earlier helps athletes master the basics of lacrosse and stick skills before they even start playing at a high school level. Having players entering the varsity team more confident and well-versed in the game will leave room for the team to focus on strategy and more intricate parts of the sport, a development sure to build upon Westridge lacrosse’s performance in the years to come. 

Even though the team was more prepared than ever, after finishing second in the Prep League, the team felt pressure to perform once they reached CIFs. The team’s high seating placement allowed them to have a “BYE,” which automatically advanced them to the second round of CIF. 

In the two weeks leading up to the second round of CIF, the team practiced different strategies and tactics to prepare for their game against Woodrow Wilson High School.

It was the preparation, drive, and passion that propelled the team through the game, making it one of the highlights of the season, when the Tigers dominated in a 19-1 win. In addition, for the first time ever, the varsity lacrosse team’s CIF game was hosted at home on Frank Field. Students and faculty held a pep rally cheering for the team.

Varsity lacrosse then progressed to the Quarterfinals, against Oaks Christian on May 6th. The team ended up losing 11-18, wrapping up the 2025 lacrosse season. It was a disappointing end to a stellar season.  

All the teams’ hard work paid off, as the first lacrosse banner was unveiled in the gym during a spirit assembly last Wednesday. The team hopes and is confident that it is the first of many. 

Going into next year’s season, the team is more ready and confident than ever before to make the season even more successful, welcome the new freshmen, and take on new roles as team leaders. 

Sophie S. ’28 believes the team’s recent successes will give them a lot of momentum moving into the next season. “I think this season showed us how good we are, and how far we can go.”