For the first time in 14 years, the Summit High School girls lacrosse team has made postseason play. The Tigers ended their slate of regular season games with a record of 4-11 to claim a spot in the 24-team, 2024 Class 4A girls lacrosse playoffs.

The last time the program made the playoffs was in the spring of 2010, when former head coach Kristin Elliott led the Tigers to a regular season record of 11-5. Summit’s record garnered the team an opportunity to play for the No. 16 seed in the tournament, but they lost to St. Mary’s Academy, 11-10 to be eliminated in the play-in game.

Over the years, the Class 4A lacrosse playoffs have drastically expanded to feature 24 teams. After making recent program history by winning three games in a row for the first time since 2017, Summit was awarded the No. 24 seed in this year’s playoff bracket.

On Wednesday, May 8, Summit squared off against No. 9 Horizon High School in the first round of the playoffs at Adams 12 Five Star Stadium in Thornton. The 11-4 Horizon Hawks dominated the Tigers from start to finish, outscoring the team 12-3 in the first half before expanding upon that lead during the final half.

Horizon was led by senior Ava DiFulvio, freshman Kiya LeBlanc and sophomore Reilly Sears. The three Hawks combined for a 11 of the team’s 16 goals with DiFulvio scoring five and LeBlanc and Sears recording three each.

Horizon sophomore Emily Grumet and junior Maddie Whitney split the game between the goalposts. Grumet made three saves and allowed three goals while Whitney made four saves and also allowed three goals.

Summit fell to Horizon, 16-6 to conclude the season with a record of 4-12 overall and 2-8 in league play. Despite failing to advance to the second round of the playoffs, the record marks the best in the program since 2019 (5-9) showing the level of hard work and dedication third-year head coach Carly Sane has instilled in her players.

Summit senior Ella Rader led the team on the field this season, scoring 47 goals and 27 assists throughout the Tiger’s 15 regular season games. Rader will join Chloe Nicholds, Lili Zygulski, Grace Gibson, Gracyn Kent and Emma Pombo from graduating from the team later this spring.

Horizon will now advance to the second round where it will face No. 8 Cherokee Trail High School, who received a bye in the first round. For an updated bracket, visit MaxPreps.com/tournament.