The Gig Harbor girls’ lacrosse team faced off against Bellarmine the evening of Wednesday, April 23, at 6 p.m. in a close, intense match. After four quarters of tough play and intense moments, the game ended in a 6-6 tie.
Before the game began, Bellarmine Girls Lacrosse held a special announcement to honor the life and legacy of Morgan Rogers, a former Duke University lacrosse player who passed away in July 2019 after facing mental health struggles. The team dedicated the game to Morgan and shared the mission of Morgan’s Message, an organization started by her family and former teammates. The message focused on ending the stigma around mental health. Nova Middleton (12) said, “Morgan’s story really hit me; it reminded me how important it is to check in on each other, not just as teammates but as people.”
One of the biggest highlights was Lizzy Kolokithas (11), Gig Harbor’s goalie, who had an incredible 18 saves. What made her performance even more impressive was that she used to play for Bellarmine before transferring to Gig Harbor. Kolokithas said, “I keep in my mind ATF [always teams first]. If I do my job, then I know that my team will feel my spirit and will push everyone to their limit!” Her quick reflexes and focus helped keep the game close, especially during Bellarmine’s fast-paced offensive plays.
The game was tight from the beginning, with both teams going back and forth in the first half. Bellarmine took a 6-5 lead late in the second half, putting pressure on Gig Harbor to come up with a big play. That moment came with just 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter, when Anya Helgerson (10) drove in, went around the crease, and used a quick roll move and scored to tie the game 6-6. After the goal, Helgerlson said, “I really just wanted to win the game for my teammates. We definitely needed that goal, and in the moment, going for it felt like the best way I could try and make it happen for all of us.”
After the timeout, Bellarmine won the next draw control and tried to set up a game-winning shot. But Gig Harbor’s defense stepped up when it mattered most. Helgerson and Sydney Schultz (9) executed an amazing double team, pressuring the ball carrier. Bellarmine dropped the ball, and now it was a 50/50 ground ball, but before they knew it, the game was over.
Even though it wasn’t a win, the game showed Gig Harbor’s resilience and teamwork. Both teams shook hands at the end, showing mutual respect for one another.