MISSOULA — High school lacrosse continues to grow each spring in Montana. In this week’s KPAX Youth Sports Spotlight, we highlight one Missoula team that just received a grant to help give the program a kick-start.
The US Lacrosse First Stick Grant Program will allow the Sentinel girls to purchase equipment for 20 players.
That will include money for not only goggles, sticks and goalie gear, but also training and the ability to waive the U.S. Lacrosse registration fee. The team hopes more girls will try the sport that maybe before were hesitant because of the cost to play.
“We just got it because we were a new team, especially in Montana where the sport is growing,” said Sentinel head coach Erin Opitz. “They really want to try and develop more here, lacrosse here, especially with the girls, because it’s kind of more been taking off with the boys in the past couple of years. But it’s been slow. So, being chosen for this as a new team is awesome.”
The Sentinel team also includes girls from Big Sky and Loyola High School. It will open its season in Billings this coming weekend.
