In February, the lacrosse team traveled to Florida, in preparation for a tough stretch of games to start our season. We would be facing St. Andrew’s, Belen Jesuit, and The Benjamin School, the reigning Florida state champions. We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we were excited for the challenge. After months of preseason preparation, this was our first true test.
We scouted each opponent, analyzing film and studying their strengths. The excitement leading up to the trip was undeniable; we were eager to compete.
Our first game against St. Andrew’s was a battle from start to finish. We traded goals all night, and as the clock wound down, we were locked in a dead-even contest. Then came overtime, where it seemed like one play, one shot, one defensive stand would decide it. Unfortunately, the moment didn’t go our way, and we suffered a heartbreaking 17-16 loss.
“It was a really tough loss, especially because of how much we had been preparing the whole offseason,” said Andrew Goldman ‘27. “But it gave the team even more motivation to work harder every day. It grew us closer as a team.”
The next day, we bounced back with a dominant 14-6 win over Belen Jesuit. Our offense clicked, our defense tightened up, and we executed the game plan. That win was crucial—not just for our record, but for our confidence. It proved we could reset and improve quickly.
Our final game was against The Benjamin School, a true test against one of the best teams in Florida. From the start, their talent was clear. They made every possession difficult, and we struggled to generate consistent scoring chances. We fell short, but the experience showed us what we need to improve moving forward.
Off the field, the trip was just as memorable. Staying in two houses (offense and defense) helped build chemistry. Sunday was our only full day off, and we took advantage with a beach day. The pool at the Airbnb was another favorite spot, with guys constantly jumping in after long days in the sun.
“We’ve been on many team trips, but this was definitely the highlight,” said Chase Hellie ‘26. “The location, the weather, the houses, the games, and all the time we got to spend together. But my favorite part was rooming with ‘Chazz’ Michels.”
One of the most unexpected highlights had nothing to do with lacrosse. On Saturday night, the entire defense gathered to watch Loyola soccer take on Mater Dei on livestream. Every big moment had us on edge, and when Loyola pulled off the win, the house exploded in celebration.
Looking back, the trip was a mix of highs and lows. Losing two out of three games stung, but we learned a lot—about competition, about our team, and about each other. The biggest takeaway? Chemistry matters. Whether battling on the field, recovering at the beach, or celebrating a soccer win, every moment brought us closer.
We can’t wait for the rest of the season!
