Anything you can do, we can do…differently.

After the success the Biola men’s lacrosse team has enjoyed since 2001, it was only a matter of time before the women joined in the fun. This was the first semester of the Biola Women’s Lacrosse Club. Captains Courtney Cocoris, Samantha Aviles and Julia Bates led the team. Cocoris and Aviles met at the club info meeting and joined forces with Bates to get things going. Cocoris and Bates coach the team, while Aviles takes care of the administrative side.

For those unfamiliar with women’s lacrosse, it is related to the men’s game like baseball is to softball. The women’s game is different, but the premise is the same: get the ball past the goalie and into the net. While the men are more physically brutal and have less rules governing violent checks, the women’s game is much more about finesse and passing. Men wear shoulder and elbow pads, along with gloves and full cage helmets, but the women only wear protective goggles. Each game comes with its own tempo and individual challenges.

The women will be joining the Western Women’s Lacrosse League as a preliminary, or trial, member next year. As a part of Division II South, they will face opponents from Fullerton, UNLV, Long Beach, Chapman, Marymount, and others. Some of the women have past experience, but they are adamant that previous experience isn’t required. “Courtney and Julia played in high school and really missed it.” Aviles said, “I took the lacrosse P.E. class my first semester and fell in love with the sport.”

While they are working hard to compete and make an impression next year in their first season, the team is also keeping its priorities straight. “I took this as a challenge,” Cocoris said, “to incorporate my love of lacrosse with my love for God and combine them to form a ministry.”

Since they started at the beginning of the spring semester, 15 women have joined them and they now have about 20 committed to next year’s team. They are also actively looking for a coach to help take them to the next level.

“Despite the late night and early morning practices next year, we can’t be more excited to play lacrosse for the glory of God!” Bates said, “We also want to extend the invitation for any women interested in playing to come on out and join us. No experience necessary.”