Coronado is no stranger to athletic success in recent years with local basketball, water polo, soccer and swim teams consistently winning games and producing collegiate athletes.
However, Coronado High School is not the only place that’s showcasing athletic achievement on the island.
Alliance National, a local lacrosse organization, recently had both their 2026 and 2027 girls squads come away with championship titles in the prestigious Sandstorm Lacrosse Tournament, held in the greater Palm Springs area from Jan. 13 to 14.
‘Never getting complacent’
Head coach of the 2026 squad and former National Champion at Boston College Cara Urbank said that her team’s willingness to accept direction was part of what separated them from the pack.
“You can teach plays, motions and stick skills, but you cannot teach effort and individual drive,” Urbank said. “Each of these girls shows up to everything and puts their best foot forward, never getting complacent.”
Every team has their weaknesses, but Urbank made it a point to say that this group was able to overcome slow first half starts by turning up the intensity in the second halves of big games, resulting in a slew of big wins. These victories were led by teammates Maria Anaya, Sydney Dunn, Grace Elardo and Brooklyn Parma.
“A challenge for us was going 100% from the first whistle and staying consistent. We overcame this by playing exceptional lacrosse in second halves and really coming up with some incredible plays that enabled us to win each game,” she said.
One player down
The 2027 team found similar success in this distinguished championship series, and also brought a championship title home.
Sporting another head coach with Division I lacrosse experience, this time at Johns Hopkins University, the 2027 squad was able to knock off Power HHH— a well known and successful east coast powerhouse— in the finals. Players Brynn Belong, Lilah Cade, Maddie Collins, Breck Dunn and Avery Hunter led the team.
Head Coach Caroline Hoeg said she believed her girls’ ability to rise to the occasion was instrumental in their success.
“Never once did the girls complain, they took the situation at hand and made the best of it.”
-Head coach of the 2027 squad, Caroline Hoeg.
“In the championship game we were faced with many calls by the officials that did not go our way,” she said. “This resulted in us having to play a man down for pretty much the whole second half of the game. Never once did the girls complain, they took the situation at hand and made the best of it.”
Former D1 players as coaches
Both the 2026 and 2027 squads exhibit coaching from former DI lacrosse players, an advantage many teams do not have the luxury of possessing.
Hoeg said she believes that her experience at the next level aids her in her coaching at all times, especially when attempting to relate with her players.
“I understand their struggles. I understand how difficult the sport can be at times. I also understand how rewarding it is as well,” she said.
Urbank echoed this sentiment, explaining that her time at Boston College taught her what it takes to be successful; it also allowed her to experience what her players are experiencing in the now.
“Being in their shoes, previously, I understand what it takes to reach that next level and the hard work you have to put in to get there.”
-Head coach of the 2026 squad, Cara Urbank.
“Being in their shoes, previously, I understand what it takes to reach that next level and the hard work you have to put in to get there,” Urbank said. Ultimately, my goal is to positively teach, lead and guide each of them to their greatest potential.”
Urbank and her team’s efforts reached their culmination with a victory in the finals over No. 6 ranked Steps, reinforcing Urbank’s sentiment that her squad understood their goal and the hard work that was necessary to reach it.
