They have the experience and the talent; now they just need to make it to the finals. Making and winning the state championship is definitely a big item on the Mercer Island girls lacrosse team’s list of goals.

Craig Van Derhorn returns this season as the head coach and said one of the team’s major strengths this season is its balance, as well as the strength of leadership.

The Islanders have nine seniors returning this season, including the team’s three captains, Talia Homchick, Olivia Wold and Hannah Bahn.

“We have the strongest team we’ve had in many years,” said Bahn. The team, which lost Caroline Mahoney to graduation last year, will now rely on the entire team making plays.

“Caroline was a phenomenal player,” said the second-year head coach. “This year we’re going to have to rely more on the team rather than an individual.”

As in other lacrosse seasons, the teams to beat are Lakeside and Bainbridge Island, but Van Derhorn said anyone can come out on top.

To make sure the team can get to the top level, Van Derhorn said the Islanders will focus on creating more space in the scoring zone and work on conditioning.

The captains echoed their coach’s philosophy: hard work every day will pay off.

“I want to come out and see everyone, every day, improve,” said Wold.

“Giving that extra effort at practice,” added Homchick.

Van Derhorn attributed much of the girls lacrosse program’s success to younger players becoming interested and continuing to play throughout high school. Last year’s division II girls team won the state championship under coach Tony D’Alessio.

The Islanders will host Garfield on April 8 at 8 p.m. at Islander Stadium. They then travel to Snohomish on April 13 and to Bellevue on April 14.

2010 Schedule

3/25 5:30p Mercer Island at Tacoma

4/8 8:00p Garfield at Mercer Island

4/14 8:00p Mercer Island at Bellevue

4/19 8:00p Nathan Hale at Mercer Island

4/23 6:00p Bainbridge at Mercer Island

4/26 5:30p Mercer Island at Seattle Prep

4/29 8:00p Forest Ridge at Mercer Island

5/3 6:00p Curtis at Mercer Island

5/6 8:00p Holy Names at Mercer Island