Lacrosse originated from the Indigenous people of North America. The game was for recreational purposes, but it had deep roots of spiritual importance and cultural significance. They would use the game for training or to resolve problems between tribes or people. The U.S. women’s lacrosse team was established in 1933, and the first World Cup was held in 1982.
“I was taught by my teammates when I was younger, who were members of Native American tribes, that it is a healing game, it’s a game of community,” event coordinator and runner Paige Juneau said. “It’s a game to basically avoid conflict, it was how tribes would settle disputes and it was a non-violent way to do that.”
UTSA’s women’s lacrosse club started in 2012. The club has gone through many rough patches, including not being able to practice during Covid-19 and losing many players.
The women’s lacrosse team plays sixes, not field lacrosse. The club originally started playing lacrosse sixes because they did not have enough players for the field. At the beginning of 2024, the team only had two returning players. This year, the team has 20 new players, making the current team consist of 22 players.
Sixes lacrosse is faster, the field is smaller, there are no real positions and the games are shorter. Sixes has six players on the field at all times; each team has one goal and five runners. The runners play all positions: defense, attack and midfield. Sixes is also the version of lacrosse that will be played at the 2028 Olympics.
The team practices every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The practices are open to everybody; there is no prior knowledge or experience required to join. The club will teach new players everything there is to know about lacrosse. The team focuses on teaching the new players the game, while also building bonds between new and old players.
“It’s really fun and really cool to play,” president and runner Kaybee Beggs. “We’re like a family here, so everyone knows each other and we’re all buddy, buddy and it’s just a really inviting and welcoming place to be here. I personally think that’s the best place, I am here, so I love to be here.”
While their season does not start until the spring, they do have a scrimmage against Texas State University and Saint Edward’s University in San Marcos on Oct. 26.
The team also plans to host fundraising and social events open to anybody. To be kept up to date follow their Instagram.
