Written by Rachel Haynes, Staff Writer
The Girl’s Lacrosse senior night celebration was April 9th, 2026, and was followed up by a thrilling, close game against Liberty High School.
Before the game began, the procession of seniors took place, where each girl walked down with their family, supported by their younger teammates on the sides. Each senior had a snippet of information they shared about themselves to those in the stands. They were asked to share how long they’ve played, their favorite memory, their plans after graduation, and their advice for their teammates.
Kaitlyn Aguayo:
Aguayo has played lacrosse for four years, mainly as a defensive player. Her favorite memory was “the team photos” because she loves taking “buddy pictures with teammates.” After graduation, she plans on attending RCC and becoming an Ultrasound technician. She tells her younger teammates to not start drama, have fun and never give up.
Nora Best:
Best has played goalie for four and a half years while on the team. She says her favorite memory was “practicing in the pouring rain” and playing alongside her older sister. Nora hopes to become a kindergarten teacher in the future, studying early childhood education at college. She tells her teammates to “play every game like it’s your last” and to always have fun.
Haley Calabrese:
Calabrese has played lacrosse for three years mainly as attack and defense. Her favorite memory during her time on the team was “listening to music on the bus after away games” and going to play at “beach tournaments”. Her advice to her team is to step out of your comfort zone, since you will not know what good it can bring. She will be attending RCC and studying cosmetology to become a hairdresser.
Brianna Cisneros:
Cisneros has played lacrosse since her Freshman year as a defensive midfielder. Her favorite memory over these four years would be “sophomore year when we went to a tournament in Arizona and the entire team went to Swig.” Her advice to her teammates is to stretch, don’t forget your mouth guard, and don’t get dehydrated.” After graduation, Brianna will be attending CBU for architecture.
Isabella Garcia:
Garcia began playing lacrosse this year, taking up the position of attack. Her favorite memory was her “first goal having only a month of experience”. She enjoyed being able to play with her younger sister, Brielle Garcia, since they were able to support each other. She plans on earning her B.A of science in nursing, hoping to become a travel nurse practitioner. Her advice toward her teammates is to make the most of the time left in high school.
Angel Gonzalez:
Gonzalez has been playing lacrosse for three years, as a midfielder and attack. Her favorite memories are the seasons where she was not injured. She believes that lacrosse has overall improved her confidence on and off the field. She tells her younger teammates to “disregard any negative ideas/feelings towards themselves” because they are more than their negative emotions. Gonzalez plans on going to CBU for biomedical sciences to pursue a career in occupational therapy.
Emma McCoy:
While McCoy did not play on the team, she held the essential role of manager this year, helping the group out at both home and away games. Her favorite memory as manager was “bus rides and getting to know the girls.” Her advice is to “enjoy your time at Poly [as] it goes by fast.” Emma will attend CBU and become an elementary school teacher.
Georgie Padilla:
Padilla has mainly played midfield during her three years at Poly girls lacrosse. She enjoyed helping with “everyone’s hair on the bus” and advised her younger teammates to “play with passion”. She plans on going to college and eventually medical school.
Charlotte Rogan:
Rogan has played attack for two years on this team. Her favorite memory was “making her first goal on varsity” and enjoying her time with teammates on the bus rides home. She hopes that all the younger girls will have fun, make friends, and don’t take the game too seriously. She plans to attend RCC and join the cosmetology program to become a nail technician.
Nina Santiago:
Santiago was on the team for four years, and played every position at some point except for goalie. Her favorite memory was having “a team discussion..but still being able to laugh and make jokes”. She tells the girls on the team to “remember it’s just a game” and to not take it for granted. She will be attending UC Santa Cruz for sociology.
Aalyia Staley:
Staley has played all four years of high school as an attack and midfielder. Her favorite memory was “riding on the bus with her friend Haley.” She plans on attending BYU, Idaho after she graduates this year, and her advice is to become “1% better everyday”.
Molly Waddell:
Waddell started playing lacrosse during her sophomore year, being a part of the program for three years and mostly played defense. Her favorite memory was “falling face first during practice sophomore year…and making Coach G hold ladybugs.” She would like to major in nursing to eventually become a NICU nurse.
During this season, Liberty has been neck-and-neck with our girls, and this game would determine whether they have a chance at making it into the playoffs. After a long and very close game, our lacrosse team won 5-4.
The team now has an exciting opportunity to play in the playoffs, showing how the program has truly improved in the last year. Congratulations to all the seniors for possibly making it to the playoffs this year. Go bears!
