The 2025-26 lacrosse season has officially begun for Erie, following an impressive 2023-24 campaign in which the team secured their first state championship title. With a 15-3 record, they finished first in their league and capped off an unforgettable season with a state victory. As they look toward this year, the foundation laid by the previous seasons is solid, but the focus is now on continuing their success. “We wanna make it as deep into the playoffs as we can,” said Caleb McCollum, a senior on the team.
“Our goals for this season, is just to improve on the basics. Get our passing up, our communication up. And ultimately we just wanna make it as far as we can into the playoffs in this 5A league” said Nolan Rickauer.
The 2023-24 season saw Erie make history with a 15-3 record, claiming their first league championship and winning the state title. The victory followed a series of tightly contested games and a season filled with growth and determination. With strong leadership and a unified team, the championship run culminated in a dominant performance on the state stage.
Reflecting on the previous two seasons, Erie has consistently shown improvement. In the 2022-23 season, the team finished with a 15-4 record and placed second in the state after a strong showing in the finals. Their 2021-22 season saw them finish with a 14-4 record, a solid performance that set the stage for their rise as one of the top teams in the state.
While the team has continued to evolve each year, the offseason saw a particularly intense focus on physical conditioning, skill development, and team chemistry. After last season’s success, the team recognized the importance of maintaining their competitive edge. Offseason training was key in keeping players in top shape and ensuring that their skills remained sharp. “Practicing with the team and lifting during the off season definitely helps improve our performance” McCollum stated.
In addition to the returning players, the 2024-25 season brings new faces who are ready to make an immediate impact. Several freshmen and transfers have joined the team, bringing new energy and talent that will complement the returning players. Coaches are confident that the infusion of fresh skill will help the team continue to push forward.The 2024-25 team faces the challenge of replacing key players who graduated after the state championship win, but there’s confidence that the returning talent is more than capable of stepping into leadership roles. Some of the younger players have already demonstrated their potential in offseason practices, and many expect them to make significant contributions throughout the season. ”my favorite moment playing lacrosse last year was the spring break trip to Florida, just a super fun opportunity, do a lot of fun things and just be together as a team.” Rickauer mentioned.
While the team’s past success is a point of pride, the focus has shifted to the present. With a new season underway, the players and coaching staff are committed to maintaining the team’s standard of excellence and continuing to develop both individual players and team chemistry.
As the season progresses, Erie will look to build on their past achievements, with the same commitment to hard work and teamwork that has defined their recent success. With the addition of fresh talent and the continued development of the returning players, the team is well-positioned to pursue further success and solidify their place among the state’s top programs. The focus now is on building the next chapter of the program’s history.
