Many superlatives have been thrown around during the Vero Beach High School girls lacrosse team’s two-plus decades of dominance.
But there may not be a single season throughout that stretch comparable to the ride the team has gone on through 2026.
Entering April six games under the .500 mark after playing a brutally tough schedule, Vero improbably has gone from near the basement to states this season. The team has marched to a district title, most recently a regional title, and now are two wins away from a state title.
Vero Beach takes on Ponta Vedra in a Class 2A state semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8 from the Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples.
“This season absolutely has been trying on them. But the schedule we made I think was done for a brilliant reason. They were able to mentally prepare themselves for these games, and I think that it’s showing right now,” Vero first-year head coach Gabrielle McKay. “They’re really a strong knit group of girls that know how to figure it out even when the odds are stacked against them.”
Seeded fourth in the state bracket, Vero Beach (11-11) once again plays against tough odds when it takes on the No. 1-seeded Sharks. The two teams played on Feb. 28, with Ponte Vedra (15-3) coming away with a 16-6 victory. The winner of this matchup plays the winner of No. 2 Ovideo and No. 3 Plant on 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9.
The obstacle that faces Vero Beach is mighty, but so has been the road the team has taken to this point. Seeded third in Region 4-2A, Vero advanced to this state with a pair of dominant victories in the enemy’s territory.
First, the team beat down Stoneman Douglas 17-3 in a regional semifinal on April 29. Then, Vero Beach never trailed in a convincing 8-3 win at St. Thomas Aquinas in the regional final last Saturday.
“They did it together,” McKay said following Saturday’s victory. “We were asked at the beginning of the game for the starting lineup, and I said ‘I don’t have a starting lineup because we play as a team.’ …. That is how we win and that is always how we’re going to persevere through anything. Win or lose, these girls are learning to trust each other.”
McKay has credited the team’s recent road run with her players being close to full health as well as supporters that have traveled to the past two games, and will likely head west on Friday.
“You wouldn’t have guessed that we were at someone else’s house because of how many parents and fans and supporters we’ve had in the stands,” she said. “They’ve been so loud, they’re right behind us.”
Following a 4-10 start, Vero Beach has won seven of its last eight contests, including wins in its last six matches. The team has outscored opponents 89-26 during its current winning streak. That includes a 15-5 victory at Viera in the District 13-2A Final which McKay calls the team’s turning point.
“When I felt how our team was working and communicating, that was to me when I realized that all the pieces were coming together,” she said. “They had all of the makings of a beautiful, great team. … I’m very proud of them. I think that Viera game set the tone for how our team can operate and they know it.”
Vero has climbed to be ranked 18th overall in the state while Ponte Vedra is ranked third.
How to live stream Vero Beach vs. Ponte Vedra girls lacrosse
The NFHS Network will broadcast the game with live commentary on Friday night.
Watch Vero Beach vs. Ponte Vedra lacrosse state semifinal
Fans can tune in to the link above to create an account and watch the state semifinal between Vero Beach and Ponte Vedra.
The stream will start at 7:30 p.m. for game-time on May 8.
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: How to watch Vero Beach girls lacrosse in Class 2A state semifinal
Reporting by Patrick Bernadeau, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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