ENGLEWOOD >> It’s an expectation in sports that trials and tribulations must come before great success. The third-year girls lacrosse program at Mead High School is one of those outliers.

The Mavericks missed reaching the Class 4A state title game for the first time in their existence on a stormy Wednesday night at Englewood High School. Following a state championship in their inaugural season in 2023 and a runner-up finish last spring, they bowed out in the semifinals, 16-10, to No. 1 Evergreen.

In the loss, they bid a fond farewell to senior star Lucy Connors. No player in the program’s short history is more responsible for its success than her. And after a weather delay in the semis, and then a rough opening quarter at the hands of the defending champs, she offered up one more masterclass for the Mavs, scoring seven times in her high school finale.

“A lot of things changed, and we knew it was going to be a different season,” Connors said. A reshaped roster and a new coach at the helm in Rachel Class among them. “But we did the best we could. And I think we had a great turnout.”

Knowing her high school days were dwindling away, Connors wanted to make sure whenever the Mavericks’ season ended — whether in win or loss — it was on a high note. And she felt it was.

Digging out of a 5-0 deficit after the first quarter, Connors scored four times in the second. Her first of the night — weaving through the defense and finishing while absorbing a blow — left her hobbled. Though, it didn’t slow her down. She scored twice in the final 11 seconds before halftime, pulling her team within three. She added two more as part of a 3-0 run that closed the gap to 10-8.

But that’s as close as fourth-seeded Mead would get.

Connors, a freshman on Fairview’s team before coming to a new program at Mead for her final three years of lacrosse, finished with more than 250 goals and 100 assists. She’d introduced herself to a wider audience with eight goals in the championship win over Castle View in ‘23, then scored for the final time as time expired Wednesday.

Her 113 goals this season were the most in Colorado.

“I’ve been around a lot of different lacrosse players and I’ve seen a lot of different lacrosse players, and Lucy is the most talented player that I’ve ever been around,” junior teammate Emmy Tecu said. “And not only as a player on the field, but as a leader. I like to look at Lucy as a kind of mom, role model to me. She’s the girl I look to when I’m clearing the field. When I have a problem in my personal life, I look to Lucy, too. Next year, it’ll be a huge adjustment.”

Tecu scored her 41st goal of the season in the loss, while Morgan Elson had two goals, giving her 40 on the year, and goalkeeper Sunny Wolver had roughly 10 saves to cap off her strong season in net. All three juniors are expected to return in 2026.

Connors is headed to play at Bucknell University.

“I’m really excited to continue my career at Bucknell,” Connors said, “but I really loved playing with these girls.”