Varsity girls’ lacrosse played their final game of the season and a shot at a state championship title on Tuesday in the class 5A semi-finals, falling short 7-17 to Colorado Academy. It was the second year in a row Creek played Colorado Academy in the semifinals, both years unable to beat their rival. 

Unlike last year however, this year’s game was riddled with unexpected adversity, with 3 separate lightning delays throughout. 

The score heading into half time was 8-5 in Colorado Academy’s favor, and momentum from both teams was close to equal on both sides. However, only a couple minutes into the second half, the first of 3 lightning delays was called, delaying the progress of the game.

“I thought that our team was really good this season, but there were three 30 minute rain delays, I feel like that threw off the game, ” junior defenceman Colette Katskee said. “The first half, the game was within one or two, after the delay they scored really quickly.”

Creek held the 4 seed in the state, while Colorado Academy held the 1 seed going into the game. Colorado Academy also remains undefeated, holding an 18-0 overall win record, while Creek holds a 14-4. Along with being ranked 10th in the state, Colorado Academy has made it to the championship 7 years in a row, and has regularly faced Creek in the playoffs, further increasing the rivalry factor heading into the championship matches.

“We lost to Colorado Academy last year in the semi-finals, it’s like deja-vu,” junior goalie Charlotte Morton said. 

Morton has been a standout performer and leader on the team since a freshman. Now, she looks forward to bouncing back next season, even with the loss of the senior class. 

“We had a great group of seniors, and we wanted to play for them knowing it could’ve been their last game. But now we’re losing eight of them, so we’re gonna need other players to step up” Morton said.

Despite the loss, the team is hoping to perform better next year by maintaining strong team chemistry, and improving their performance in games throughout the upcoming season.

“Our team had a really good bond, I think other teams in the state lacked that. That’s what made our team so strong” Morton said.