Deep, talented and experienced: the Olympus girls lacrosse team had all the ingredients for a state title run this season. And they didn’t disappoint. 

The Titans captured the Class 5A crown, defeating Park City 9-6 in the championship game, May 23. Olympus got three goals and an assist from Hannah Nelson and three goals and two assists from Elizabeth Anné. Goalie Sydney Rossi was brilliant, making 12 saves. 

The Titans were virtually unstoppable all season, compiling an 18-1 record and going a perfect 10-0 in Region 6 play. Olympus had an unblemished record against in-state foes, with its only loss coming May 18 against Foothill, California, by the count of 10-5. 

“Winning a state title was an incredible feeling, one of pure exhilaration and fulfillment,” head coach Zana Spratling said. “We’ve won in state and lost in state, and nothing gives you more of a drive to better you and those around you than losing. Winning a state title is so satisfactory as a coach because it’s magical to watch a group of girls come together and play all out for each other.”

This was the third year in a row that Olympus and Park City had met in the championship game. Park City won last year’s matchup, and the Titans prevailed in 2022. 

“[Park City is] a formidable team,” Spratling said. “We are very fortunate to have such high-level players not only in our division but also in our region, pushing us to get better.”

Spratling was pleased with the way her team performed in the finals and throughout the state tournament. The Titans crushed Bonneville 24-2 in the second round, blew past Box Elder 20-3 in the quarterfinals and had a hard-fought 12-11 win over Brighton in the semifinals. Spratling said the girls were effective on both ends of the field. She also said they handled the role of favorite well and played with a target on their backs. 

“Throughout the tournament, our team demonstrated exceptional cohesion and skill that propelled us to success,” she said. “One of our greatest strengths was our ability to rely on our teammates. Offensively, we moved the ball with precision, capitalized on scoring opportunities and maintained composure under pressure. Defensively, we communicated well, anticipated plays, and minimized our opponents’ chances to score, holding them for long stretches of time.”

Olympus was clearly the best team in 5A, but that doesn’t mean everything went perfectly all the time. The Titans faced some big challenges and even found themselves behind at some points of some games. The players were able to come through all the way to the championship game. 

“In some games, we encountered teams with different styles of play that tested our adaptability and defensive strategies,” Spratling said. “There were moments of adversity where we trailed or other teams came close in games or faced intense pressure situations, requiring us to dig deep and rely on our resilience. To overcome these challenges, we leaned on our teamwork and trust in each other. We adjusted our tactics as needed, communicated more effectively on the field, and supported each other through every twist and turn of the tournament.”

The Titans got every team’s best shot. But Olympus was happy to embrace the role as the team to beat. 

“I told the players to ‘act like you’ve been here before,’” Spratling said. “We embraced the pressure as motivation rather than letting it overwhelm us. We used it as fuel to push ourselves harder in practices, refining our skills and reinforcing our team dynamics. By focusing on our preparation and trusting in our training, we were able to channel the pressure into positive energy on the field.”

Playing well when it mattered most and when the players’ best was required is something Spratling has ingrained in the program.

“Our team culture played a pivotal role in overcoming the pressure,” she said. “Celebrating small victories and staying resilient during setbacks—like trailing by two in the first half—helped us stay mentally strong and focused on our ultimate goal. In the end, managing the pressure of being favorites involved a combination of mental preparation, team support and a disciplined approach to our game. By staying true to our strengths and embracing the challenge, we were able to overcome the pressure and achieve success in the tournament.”

Spratling highlighted the play of Nelson, Elizabeth Anné, Sarah Anné, Rossi, Hazel Baker and Masami Goodick in the final game and throughout the state tournament. 

“[Nelson] has always performed well under pressure and shines in state games, consistently having the best shooting percentage and the most goals or tied for most,” Spratling said. “This girl always gets it done and rallies the team around her. Lizzie stays cool under pressure, and you can see it manifested in high-pressure games. She had the most points in the state game and came in clutch all over the field, earning MVP of the state playoff game. Sarah knows what determines a game: possession. Thanks to her we maintained a 67% draw control, giving us an edge to pace the game on our terms—not to mention her being responsible for three of our nine points.”

Spratling will have to somehow find a way to replace 10 highly talented, accomplished seniors.

Seniors who graduated and contributed to the Titans’ championship were Hannah Nelson, Lily Nelson, Lily Arrowood, Lily Nydegger, Emma Davis, Kate Lowry, Olivia Smart and Addison Wride. Two other seniors, Baker and Rossi, will play lacrosse next season at the D1 level for University of Oregon and LeMoyne College (New York), respectively. Baker was an All-American this past season and as a junior in 2023. She also achieved All-Academic recognition in 2023. 

But don’t expect the Titans to drop out of the championship picture in 2025. 

Olympus welcomes back sisters Elizabeth Anné and Sarah Anné for their senior years. Both have already committed to play at the next level at Penn State University. Sarah was a First-Team All-State player this past season, while Elizabeth made the Second Team. Goodick will also return as a senior next season after a stellar First-Team All-State junior year. 

“Our primary goal is to defend our state title and establish ourselves as a dominant force in the league once again,” Spratling said. “We aspire to maintain a high level of consistency in our performance, both in terms of individual player development and team dynamics. Off the field, we aim to uphold high standards of sportsmanship and represent our school and community with pride. We understand the responsibility that comes with being defending champions and will strive to inspire and positively impact those around us.” 

Not only was Olympus superb on the field this past season, but the girls excelled in the classroom. The team had a cumulative grade point average of 3.911 and had four Academic All-State performers. λ