Hattie Sloane stood on the sideline in her MICDS uniform, armed with a bubble machine and a pair of crutches.
Sloane, a junior, did not play a game for the Rams last season after suffering a torn ACL in her first attempt at playing box lacrosse – a fast-paced, indoor version of lacrosse.
“I went a little bit too hard and got injured,” Sloane said. “It was tough that it happened right before the start of our lacrosse season, but it was nice that I still got to be a part of (the team), and I felt very much included.”
Sloane helped at practices, cheered during games and was a valuable member of the Rams’ final four team despite having no chance to play that season.
“I showed up, and the team showed up for me. They pushed me and kept me going. I knew I needed to get back for my teammates.”
Sloane will take center stage as the Rams’ primary draw taker Saturday when MICDS (17-3) faces Eureka (17-1) in the Missouri Scholastic Lacrosse Association state championship game at 1 p.m. on Spartan Field at Missouri Baptist University.
Prior to each draw, Sloane indicates to sophomore Amelia Mackin and senior Madison Sineff where she intends to direct the ball through a number system, and the three relentlessly pursue it, whether in the air, on the ground or in an opponent’s stick.
“I can tell them where it’s going, they know where to be, and they get there. That trust and connection is so powerful,” Sloane said.
Sineff suffered a torn ACL last spring during the state semifinal, and the two knee-braced midfielders have encouraged each other throughout their recoveries.
“We connect and try to lift each other,” Sloane said. “We pushed hard, and now it’s time to show off all the hard work that got us back to where we are.”
According to MICDS strength and conditioning coach Everett Goldberg, Sloane has logged over 300 days in the weight room since her injury, and he says that she now runs faster than before her surgery.
But Sloane still battles with the sense that she lacks explosion and acceleration.
“I feel like I’m not as fast as I was before and that’s a mental battle, trying to build my confidence,” Sloane said. “Sometimes I have to take a step back, remember to hold myself with some swagger and trust that my teammates are around me and they can lift me.”
Sloane felt a sense of swagger when she earned a spot on the Australian National Team in January after participating in the final two rounds of Under 20-year-old tryouts. She will spend the summer months training in Melbourne before heading to Hong Kong for the World Cup in August.
“It’s such a fast, intense pace of lacrosse. I’m really looking forward to it,” Sloane said.
Despite the box lacrosse injury, Sloane’s adventurous spirit has not wavered. Earlier this season MICDS goalie Sophia Huddleston was hurt during a game and needed a replacement.
“I volunteered. I like to go where I’m needed,” Sloane said. “My brother used to put me in pads and shoot on me, so I had a little bit of experience in cage.”
Sloane guarded the net against Visitation on April 29, made three saves and yielded only two goals during an 11-9 victory. Two days later, she made two saves and earned the victory against Pattonville.
“I feel like our defense lifted, trying to protect me, and I was really grateful for that,” Sloane said.
When not protecting the goal crease, Sloane attacks it. She has accrued 20 goals, 44 draw controls and 37 ground balls while being the catalyst of a relentless draw team.
As a freshman, she was outstanding in the 2022 state title game against Eureka, scoring two goals, scooping two ground balls and earning three draw controls. On Saturday, she will stand inside another championship game draw circle against the same team, understanding the symbolism of the full circle moment she is experiencing.
“It was a long road back, but I feel like I’m getting stronger and faster every game,” Sloane said. “The support around me helped me get back to where I am now.”