Rising RipTides: Young Lacrosse Team is Trying to Make a Comeback

This year’s team is full of amazing, coachable young women who are hard workers, and our team is only getting better as the season progresses.”

After securing back-to-back Washington Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association league championships in 2022 and 2023, the Peninsula School District RipTides — a combined girls lacrosse team from Peninsula and Gig Harbor High Schools — have faced tougher challenges in recent seasons, finding themselves near the bottom of the standings. 

“We’re young, but we’re on the rise,” RipTides head coach Maddie Lancaster said. “This year’s team is full of amazing, coachable young women who are hard workers, and our team is only getting better as the season progresses.” 

With just two seniors and one junior, the RipTides are relying heavily on underclassmen, and they’ve already shown signs of growth. The team is currently 3-3, with wins over Lincoln Lacrosse, Klahowya Secondary School, and Auburn-Riverside.  

“We’re still figuring things out,” Lancaster said. “Since we’re young, we’re still learning where everyone plays best.” 

A key to their early success has been team chemistry. Lancaster highlights the players’ willingness to collaborate and their shared commitment to growth as driving forces behind the team’s improvement. Despite their youth, the players embrace Lancaster’s philosophy of balancing fun with mastering the fundamentals. 

While standout individual players make a difference, Lancaster believes the team’s depth sets them apart. 

“I could highlight any number of players on any given night,” she said. “We don’t have to rely on just one or two. That’s a real strength.” 

The RipTides captains — midfielder Nova Middleton (GHHS senior), defender Sidney Beck (PHS senior), and goalie Lizzy Kolokithas (GHHS junior) — anchor the team at key positions. Kolokithas is widely regarded as one of the best goalies in the state, and she recently made the Washington state team, which will compete at a national tournament later this spring. 

Defensively, the team is fast and aggressive, led by Beck and sophomores Sam Scialabba (PHS), Kelsea Gardner (GHHS), Maddie Harding (GHHS), and by Peninsula freshman Ashlyn Delgado. Lancaster described the defense, along with Kolokithas, as “quick, aggressive, and extremely disciplined.” 

In the midfield, freshman Olivia Van Someren (GHHS) leads the team in goals and ground balls, hustle stats that Lancaster says reflect the team’s work ethic. 

“Going after and getting a ground ball might seem small, but it’s everything,” Lancaster said. “It’s about who wants it more. And our girls are showing that fight.” 

Offensively, Lancaster called Katie Waida (GHHS sophomore) the team’s leading playmaker, with sophomores Lauren Sievers (PHS) and Sydney Elton (PHS) rounding out a balanced attack. 

Now in her sixth season as head coach, Lancaster brings a lifetime of lacrosse experience and a deep family connection to the sport. Born in Canada and raised in Washington, Lancaster began playing boys lacrosse in elementary school before joining girls leagues in seventh grade. She played high school lacrosse at Auburn-Riverside, where she remains friends with the coaching staff, and went on to play collegiately at Ohio Wesleyan University. 

 Her family played a pivotal role in the local lacrosse scene, helping found the Lake Tapps Lacrosse Club, where her father, Dan Lancaster, coached before taking the Sumner High School boys team to the brink of a state championship in 2015. 

 In addition to coaching, Lancaster teaches history at Peninsula High School and is the school’s speech and debate coach. She places great emphasis on the student part of “student-athlete,” ensuring that her players excel not only on the field but also in the classroom. 

 This year, Lancaster is joined by new assistant coach Maddie Jennings, a recent Whitworth University graduate known for her strong defensive play. 

 The RipTides will return to action on April 10, at Gig Harbor High School against Lakeside. They’ll host Evergreen School District at Roy Anderson Field April 25, and wrap up the regular season with a home game against Graham-Kapowsin May 1. 

 With a foundation of committed young players and strong coaching, Lancaster is optimistic about the direction of the program.  “Our team is a really great group who work together well and are dedicated to improvement,” she said. “They are an awesome group to coach.”