Both lacrosse teams at Washington and Lee have faced strong competition at the forefront of their seasons. The two teams have fought their way into the top 10 rankings nationally but fell short against tough competition last weekend.

Men

The Washington and Lee men’s lacrosse team continues to play several nationally-ranked opponents to start their 2023 season. Coaches often try to schedule tough opponents to start the year because it can help build a team’s resume for seeking an at-large NCAA national tournament bid at the end of the year. Preseason All-American senior Boots Lackey, ’23, said this year’s team is up to the challenge.
“I think we are finally living up to our full potential as a program,” Lackey said. “We’ve always had so much talent, but this year it’s really starting to show because everyone is on the same page.”
The Generals started their season off with a thrilling home victory over then No. 7 ranked York College 11-10 in overtime. This kicked off a four-game winning streak. The Generals found themselves on the other side of an overtime game last week, losing to No. 13 conference rival Lynchburg University on Saturday 13-14.
Sophomore Hillis Burns, ’25, has led the attack with 37 points for the Generals this year. with a team high 23 goals and 14 assists. Also making significant contributions on the attacking end are Joey Allen, ’25, with 23 goals, and Hudson Pokorny, ’23, with 17 goals. The Generals still have eight games remaining this year. They will return home on Saturday, April 1 at 5 p.m. on Wilson Field to play Hampden-Sydney College in a conference matchup.

Women

The Washington and Lee women’s lacrosse team won eight straight games to start the 2023 season, including four wins over top-ten-ranked teams. This was capitalized by a 16-5 road win over then-ranked No. 2 Tufts University.
“Our team has had a strong start to the season due to our team chemistry and excitement for competition,” junior midfielder Julia Thomson, ’24, said. “We’ve played some of our strongest competitors in the first half of our season and have been able to rise to the occasion due to the depth on our team. We have so many strong competitors on both sides of the field and can look to these different people when in tight games.”
The Generals’ hot start to the year was a surprise to some with an all-new coaching staff. But head coach Maddie Coleman and assistant coach Avery Blackmon picked up right where previous head coach Brooke O’Brien left off.
“Coach Maddie and Coach Avery bring a new and fresh energy that’s gotten everyone excited,” junior goal keeper Caroline Kranich, ’24, said. “It’s reminded us why we play lacrosse and want to be part of the team which translates to how we play.”
Kranich has a .515 save average, having made 68 saves so far and allowing 7.68 goals on average.
Junior attacker Hanna Bishop, ’24, has been building on an All-American sophomore campaign leading the team with 32 points, made up of 28 goals and four assists.
The Generals recently lost their first game of the year to No. 10 York College at home 12-8.
The Generals have eight games remaining in the regular season, seven of which are conference games. The Generals have won 12 consecutive Old Dominion Athletic Conference championships and are expected to win another. They play away in a conference matchup against Shenandoah University Wednesday at 6 p.m.