Columbia prepares for first trip to state final four
EAST GREENBUSH, NY (NEWS10) -- The Columbia Girls Lacrosse team will make program history on Friday when they take the field in the New York State semifinal, marking the first time the Blue Devils have reached the state final four.
This weekend will cap the best year in program history for Columbia, capturing their first Section 2 title and besting Section 3's Watertown, 16-13, in the regional final. The newcomers to the tournament will face a team with plenty of experience, the Blue Devils will meet the 3-time defending state champs, Victor, in the semifinal.
This Columbia team is no stranger to playing in tough games, beating Bethlehem in overtime in the Section 2 title game after storming back with a pair of goals in the final minute to even the contest. The fight the Blue Devils have shown is a big reason they have reached this point.
"I feel that our resilience and grit really has paid off and our leadership," Head Coach Kurt Randall said. "I think a few years ago we would have given up when teams were coming back, but this year with this team they never give up. They always believe and feel that they can win every game when they step on the field."
Another key part for the Blue Devils has been the depth on this team. Columbia is getting contributions from not just one class, but from players throughout the roster.
"I think a big part of it is we have people from every grade," Senior Kaylin Jacob said. "And the spread of talent just goes across everyone. So, we've been building up this team for years and getting people from every grade level. I think even after this year they'll continue to be really good."
Columbia knows it would be a special way to end a special season if they were to win the championship this weekend, but they know it will not be an easy thing to do. Senior Kaitlin Bogucki is focused on the team's attitude when it comes to what it will take to get the job done this weekend.
"I think just stay positive," Bogucki said. "There's a lot of great competition like I said, but hopefully we're able to just keep pushing through and make it to the championship."
Step 1 for the weekend is to take down the defending champs. Columbia takes on Victor in the Class B semifinals on Friday at 2 p.m. The game will be played at SUNY Cortland's Grady Field.