Coming off their hard fought loss to Poly, the girls’ varsity lacrosse team was out for revenge from their 13-0 loss against Rosary Academy two years ago. The Heritage girls earned a hard-fought 6-5 victory in the program’s first game played under their newly installed field lights.

With temperatures hovering around 48 degrees, and feeling closer to 41 due to steady nine-mile-per-hour winds and lingering moisture from earlier rain, the Warriors battled both the elements and a talented Rosary squad in a physical, back-and-forth contest that was ultimately decided by defense.

Heritage struck first when senior attacker Sam Rosales found the back of the net with 10:50 remaining in the opening quarter. Later in the period, Emme Dingilian extended the lead with a goal off an assist from Mikaelah Kim, giving the Warriors early momentum.

Rosary responded late in the first quarter and continued to apply pressure in the second, eventually evening the score. The first half showcased strong draw controls and defensive stands on both sides, including a critical penalty shot save by goalkeeper Sophia German, whose presence in the cage kept the Warriors steady in key moments.

Early in the third quarter, Blair Boeckmann gave Heritage the lead with a composed finish, and Emme added another goal minutes later to stretch the advantage. Not long after, Sam Rosales delivered again with a left-handed strike with 3:11 remaining in the third quarter, energizing the sideline and pushing the Warriors ahead.

The game’s intensity was evident throughout, including a third-quarter collision involving Liz Fiske, who later returned to competition. Defensive plays by Dayla Ireton and Blair Boeckmann contributed to key turnovers, disrupting Rosary’s rhythm and preventing clean looks inside the fan.

Rosary refused to go away, cutting the lead to one late in the fourth quarter. But with just over a minute remaining, the Warriors shifted their strategy, controlling possession and methodically winding down the clock. Strong defensive positioning prevented Rosary from finding space in scoring position, sealing the 6-5 victory as time expired.

Head Coach Mike Johnson credited the team’s discipline and defensive focus in the final half.

“I thought we did a good job in the second half of really playing our defense and sharing the ball, being unselfish, but really locking in and playing good defense that enabled us to win the game.”
Mike Johnson
Girls’ Lacrosse Head Coach

The historic night was more than just a win. Playing under the lights for the first time marked a milestone for the program, and the Warriors rose to the occasion with composure, resilience, and teamwork.

In cold, windy conditions against a strong opponent, Heritage proved that defense and unselfish play can define a game.