It was a great spring season for the East Bay Lacrosse program.

Five teams recently won state championships: the Girls 5/6 Division 1 team, Boys 5/6 Division 1 team, Boys 5/6 Division 2 team, Girls 7/8 Division 1 team, and the Boys 7/8 Division 1 team.

Girls 5/6 Division 1

The fifth- and sixth-grade Division 1 girls capped off their championship season with an impressive nine straight wins, on their way to claiming the state title. Throughout the season, the girls displayed remarkable performance and dedication, working hard at practice twice a week. They quickly gelled as a team, showcasing their unity and skill through two intense playoff games.

In the state semifinal, the girls triumphed over East Greenwich Lacrosse Association Avengers with a final score of 9-7, led by Avery Blanco's incredible eight-goal performance. Despite a late surge by EG, the formidable defense of Ellie Glass, Hadley Slusarz, Sadie Warner, and Skyler LoVerme successfully held them off.

The championship game presented a tough challenge against a strong Cumberland squad, whom they had faced three times in the past week. Kinsley Hoagland, Lucy LoVerme, and Emma LoVerme spearheaded the scoring attack in a thrilling back-and-forth battle. Crucial to the team's success was the outstanding goaltending of Leighton Steger, who was steady in goal all season long for East Bay. Her seven key saves in the fourth quarter of the championship game locked down the state title.

Boys 5/6 Division 1

With four seconds left in regulation, East Bay goalie Owen Nolan made an extraordinary save to preserve a nail-biting 9-8 win for the state championship, capping off an undefeated 11-0 season for this Grade 5 and 6 East Bay Lacrosse Division I team. East Bay jumped out to an early (and seemingly commanding) lead 6-2 early in the second quarter. But South County would not go away, showing resilience and tying the game late in the fourth. East Bay’s offense led by sixth-graders Archie Turgeon, Grant Farrell, Charlie Hamilton and Cam Kiely, found a way to get two more goals and hold on for the win. The defense, led by Gus Merrow and Brice Antonio, protected their house. Most importantly, these boys showed grit, composure, good sportsmanship and athleticism honed by many a lap around the lacrosse field during the regular season. 

Boys 5/6 Division 2

In a thrilling comeback, the Boys 5/6 Division 2 team clinched the championship with an 11-7 victory over Cumberland. The season began with a rocky 1-1-2 start, but the team surged forward with five consecutive wins, showcasing significant improvements in offense, defense, and transitions each week.

Given that many players were new to the sport, their progress was remarkable. Initially reliant on a single player's scoring prowess, the team evolved to have multiple players contributing to goals, assists, ground ball recoveries, and defensive plays.

The coaching staff expressed immense pride in the boys' relentless work ethic and determination throughout the season. Congratulations to the team for their outstanding performance!

Girls 7/8 Division 1

The East Bay Girls 7/8 Division 1 team is a dedicated, positive, and collaborative group of stellar athletes. This remarkable team has worked tirelessly, developing into a dominant force with incredible depth. They achieved an undefeated season and secured the State Championship title once again. The coaches felt honored to work with such an impressive group. The eighth-graders, along with their parent coaches Brad and Leslie, will be deeply missed as they graduate from East Bay Lacrosse. Their contributions have left an indelible mark on the program's development. Leslie and Brad have dedicated years of outstanding service as board members and coaches for both boys' and girls' East Bay teams. The championship final was challenging, but these players triumphed with their skills, endurance, and exceptional lacrosse IQ, leading them to a well-deserved 9-5 victory.

Boys 7/8 Division 1

The Boys 7/8 D1 East Bay lacrosse team worked tirelessly all season to reach this pinnacle moment. Their relentless training and preparation paid off as they approached the playoffs with confidence. Facing tough competition, they rose to the challenge, defeating NK 11-1 in the semifinals and East Greenwich 16-7 in the final.

Everett Smith led a formidable defense, with the rest of the D-core shutting down the opposition. The team surged to an 8-1 lead in the first quarter, dominating so thoroughly that their opponents were mercied ball possession, with no face-off to keep the game competitive. The players moved with precision and determination, working together seamlessly to outplay their rivals.

During the game, Matthew Azevedo scored his 50th goal of the season with an incredible behind-the-back pass from Thayer Got. Sawyer Smith also finished the year with the fewest goals against in the league by a wide margin. When the final whistle blew, they were champions. The overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and pride was evident as they celebrated together, knowing their hard work had paid off in the end.