Freshman Lacrosse Player Comes in with International Experience
Steven Wright ’28 is just beginning his freshman year at Saint Viator, but already he is making a name for himself.
Last month, Steven was named Player of the Game at the bronze medal game of the International Indoor Junior Lacrosse World Championship in Buffalo, New York. Steven played goalkeeper for the Poland U16 Box Lacrosse Team.
Steven believes he won the award for being able to prevent the defending champion USA team from scoring any goals for seven minutes. Team USA eventually won the game, earning the silver medal while Poland earned the bronze.
Saint Viator Boys’ Lacrosse Coach Geoff Harty says he and the coaching staff are aware of Steven, who also plays club lacrosse with Second City Lacrosse in Palatine.
“We are very excited to add Steven to our program this year,” Coach Harty says, “and I am confident he will develop into a great starting goalie for us one day on varsity.”
Steven says he has been playing field lacrosse for seven years. He started playing box lacrosse – played in a hockey rink and with shorter sticks and just six players – four years ago.
“I used to play baseball, wrestling, and football,” Steven says. “I discovered lacrosse in a book, and I came home and told my parents I wanted to play lacrosse.”
Since discovering the sport, he has played for a variety of lacrosse clubs in the area, before playing with Second City. Consequently, he comes to the Lions with a lot of competitive experience and he’s not alone.
“We are starting to attract a lot of talented players,” Coach Harty says. “We have advanced to the final 16 or better for the past five seasons, including a state runner-up season in 2023 that has definitely started to attract more players as well."
“We recently added a freshman team last spring,” he adds. “It was the first time in four years that we fielded a freshman squad, demonstrating the kind of growth we are having.”
Steven says he was thrilled to play in a medal game and be named Player of the Game.
“I didn’t expect to win this award. I was in shock,” he says. “It also felt good earning the bronze medal and I enjoyed meeting new people.”
Saint Viator High School
Located in Arlington Heights, IL, Saint Viator High School is a private, co-ed, Catholic school for grades 9-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
