Tiny Girl, Big Goals: Returning to Lacrosse at UC Davis

Lacrosse has always been a part of me. I played all through high school, and for the last two years I’ve been on the sidelines as a coach with Davis Lacrosse Association, teaching the game I love to the next generation. Watching my players grow and succeed has been inspiring, but somewhere deep down, I knew I was holding myself back.

After my first knee injury back in high school, the fear of getting hurt again—and the fear of failure—kept me from trying out for the club team. I convinced myself that coaching was enough, that cheering on others was safer than chasing my own goals.

But lately, I’ve felt a shift. Each round of wall ball, every short run, every weight lifted in the gym has been building not just my strength, but my confidence. Even the girls I coach want me to try out and are cheering me on as I do my own training after practices.

I’m realizing that playing again isn’t just about competing—it’s about reclaiming a piece of myself I’ve been missing.

This year, I’m ready to step onto the field not just as a coach, but as a player. My knee may carry scars, but so does my heart—and both are stronger than I give them credit for.

coach sarah in the zone