Six seniors lead the girls varsity lacrosse team with an undefeated legacy, setting the bar for underclassmen to fill as they leave.
The Dolphins celebrated senior night on May 14, 2024, and defeated the Lions of Tallwood High School, 15-1 on a cold, rainy night. The senior night win marked the end of the regular season with a final record of 11-3.
“Summerlin and I don’t mind playing in the rain, but it does affect our ability to catch and pass effectively,” said senior captain Molly Ryan Gates. “That only means that we need to focus harder.”
Summerlin Gates scored the first goal of the game, which marked the 100th goal of her varsity career.
However, Summerlin is not the only lady phenom. She leads the team along with her twin sister Molly Ryan Gates. In the two years lacrosse has become a varsity sport, the sisters have scored a combined total of 195 goals, tallied 39 assists and 23 wins.
Although, their legacy will not end at Ocean Lakes. They plan to carry it to the University of Mary Washington where they will spend the next four years and continue their academic and athletic careers.
“Senior night was bittersweet, but we are loaded with talented players that will come back next year,” said varsity lacrosse coach Lauren Logan, the mother of Summerlin and Molly Ryan Gates.
Throughout the season, the Dolphins scored 180 goals and conceded 104.
“This group of seniors is special; they made the season great,” said sophomore Reese Longwater. “They all contributed to the team exceptionally even if it was offensively or defensively; they did it.”
The team has high expectations of advancing far into regionals and then eventually onto states, according to Reese.
After the win against Salem High School in the region quarter-finals with a score of 15-3, and Cox High School in the region semi-finals 20-5, the Dolphins secured a spot in the VHSL Class 5 Region Final. This region final win over the Marlins of Bayside High School continued their nine-game win streak and earned their title as VHSL Class 5 Region A Champions.
“I am confident we have a great chance to go far,” said senior Melanie Dunaway.
On the path to winning a state championship, the Dolphins will host Douglas S. Freeman High School from Tuckahoe, Va., at Ocean Lakes for the VHSL Class 5 State Quarter-final on June 4, 2024 at 6 p.m.
