A picture-perfect Saturday morning set the scene for one of the most impressive performances the lacrosse team has managed to achieve all season. Their competition, Cor Jesu from St. Louis and the number one girls lacrosse team in that state, was one of many teams to also be partaking in the tournament. Although the team fell 9-8 in a dramatic, down-to-the-last-second loss, the team had nothing to hang their heads about as they moved on to the next round of the tournament.

“I was nervous before the game, but I had to push that aside in order to play my best. We came out strong and even though we lost by one, I’m still proud of how we played,” senior Kat Qamar said.

The team emerged strong from the starting whistle with two quick goals by seniors Carolyn Crowe and Qamar, but Cor Jesu responded minutes later with a goal of their own. Crowe continued to score another goal, earning her a total of two goals for the whole game, while both Qamar and sophomore Aidan McEnerney scored a hat trick each to bring Sion’s point total to 8.

“We went into the game a little worried but became really hopeful when we realized that we could actually win. I always try to shoot in games, but I wanted to win so badly so I kept pushing myself,” McEnerney said.

The game continued to be played in a back-and-forth like fashion as each team fought to pull ahead. At half time, head coach Molly Crawford encouraged her team to want it more than the other team and to raise the intensity, while being cautious of the fouls the team was beginning to gather up.

With just over three minutes left to be played in the second half, the team was losing 8-7. It was then that McEnerney chose to score her third and final goal to tie up the game. Shouts of “let’s go” and “this is our game” echoed around the team as the final minutes came to a close. With only 21 seconds remaining, Cor Jesu managed to fire the ball into the back of the net, dragging them ahead once again. Despite a valiant effort by the team and a breathtaking shot by McEnerney, the team was unable to come back.

“Everyone stepped up at various times throughout the entire game. We had a few lapses that led to the final outcome of the game, but overall it was good,” head coach Molly Crawford said.

The night before, the team had beaten Nerinx Hall in their first game of the Stars and Storm Invitational. This was the first time Sion was able to host a tournament such as this, thanks to the new athletic complex. Despite the tough loss on their home turf, coaches and players alike had nothing to hang their heads about.

“It was the best game our girls have played as a team this season,” Crawford said. “They connected in ways they haven’t connected before and made some really great plays.”