Pacific Index

Senior Sarah Quade explains the turnaround of Boxer lacrosse 

   As flowers slowly start to bloom on the dull campus trees, the women’s lacrosse team takes center stage on the brightly colored turf of Hanson Stadium. For the past decade, the team has struggled to find their footing, but are finally started emerging, an especially gratifying turnaround  for senior defender Sarah Quade. 

   Raised in what is commonly considered the “Heartland of Lacrosse,” or Maryland, Quade was around the sport from a young age, leading her to pick up a stick in the fifth grade. Her path eventually led her to end up at Pacific University, allowing her to live in the PNW and still have the support of extended family local to the area, which she loves, says Quade. 

   But it hasn’t been all rainbows and sunshine, as lacrosse has faced much struggle within Quade’s four years. From coaching changes to revamped rosters, the ups and downs have been extreme. But with success on the horizon, perhaps it was all worth it. 

   The Boxers enter their season with a 3-1 starting record, recently shutting out Pacific Lutheran in a 17-0 slaughter. 

   I asked Quade what the difference was, what had changed to see such quick improvement from last year to now. “From when I started, we have completely shifted the culture of Pacific. I think the biggest thing is that we have athletes who want to work, are bought in, and who want to do whatever it takes to get us to that next level,” boasted Quade. “It definitely took a lot of time to build that culture. But I just think the biggest difference between this year and last year, even two years ago, is that everyone shows up and wants to work. Everyone cares about each other.” She added, “everyone wants to trust each other. I think the Linfield game was proof that if we want something bad enough, we’re gonna be capable.” 

   Quade is referring to the Boxers game in which they took down rival Linfield for the first time since 2017, in a 10-8 victory. Quade put up three goals alongside Sophomore Ellena Willingham, who scored four to secure the win. This game was a true testament to the team’s growth. Since the season has just begun, the Boxers have yet to play all the teams within the Northwest Conference. But certain teams sit in the third spot for overall standings, giving them a promising shot at a postseason. 

   I followed up on my previous question, asking Quade how she has seen her team grow. She answered, emphasizing again the idea of everyone on the field wanting to work hard, and having everyone buy into the idea of winning. “We really came into the 2025 season, resetting everything.
Understanding that our expectations were gonna be different and our accountability was gonna be increased,” says Quade. “Once a week, we have leadership, and that just kind of focuses on building team culture, team chemistry, and focusing on how to work together, and how to talk through the issues that we have. I think in the past, we have turned inwards and felt like we had to do it as individuals, versus now I know that I have 17 girls who have my back.” 

   Moving forward, Quade hopes the framework this team has worked so hard to build can continue into future years. Eventually, putting Pacific Lacrosse at the top of the conference and becoming a powerhouse team in the long run. A goal she believes the team is very capable of achieving after seeing the growth between her years as a Boxer. 

   “The number of times that I hear people come and be like, Oh, I watched your game, and I didn’t realize it was that intense. Like, it is technically not a contact sport, but it is a contact sport. It’s super physical,” Quade says about lacrosse.

   Next up, the Boxers take on the University of Puget Sound at home, March 19 at 6 pm