Girls lacrosse season is right around the corner, and many changes are being made this year. Not only do we welcome the new head coach, Sydnie Soto, but there are other changes being made to the everyday practice times, and some of these changes have created barriers for athletes.
In past years, the girls’ lacrosse practices have always been directly after school, but this year, the practice times have changed to early evening. There have been different responses to this change, and it has sparked some controversy. Later practices allow students to rest after school and complete tasks before practice, but with the new practice time being at 5:30, many find the timing to be challenging.
Students have the evening off, giving them time to finish homework and rest. After school practices may be tiring, but they also allow peace and quiet for the rest of the night. Plus, it is always a great feeling knowing that when you get home, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your house again for the rest of the night.
The abrupt practice change can also be a problem for underclassmen who do not drive, and can also be problematic for older classmen who live far away. Players have about three hours in between school and practice to kind of rest or complete homework, but adding on driving and other factors, the time boils down to only about two hours. While many who live nearby may go home, it’s often hard for underclassmen to find a ride home and a ride back to Benilde St. Margaret’s within that short time period. That means many players will have to stay at BSM during the awkward period of time, meaning every day a girls’ lacrosse player will have been at BSM from 8 am to 7:30 pm.
Having practice at 5:30 pm may seem like a normal practice time for certain sports at BSM, but girls’ lacrosse practices have always been directly after school. When the practice time abruptly changes for the 2026 season, problems are sure to follow. The girls’ lacrosse team is full of dual-sport athletes who have other commitments during the season. Having practice after school was easier for some to balance both sports, but the practice switch will cause many conflicts and problems, especially for dual-sport athletes.
The switch in practice times is abrupt and confusing; players may scramble to try to fill the time between school and practice. Players who have been accustomed to practice after school for years have to now try to adjust their daily routine, and switching a day-to-day routine is not as easy as it may seem.