Riverside Brookfield High School senior Zoe Jeffcott joined the girls lacrosse team as a sophomore and quickly adapted to her new sport.
“Lacrosse is very different from dance, but you still have to rely on your teammates to be there for you to be able to perform your best,” Jeffcott said. “I have learned how to work as a team and discipline myself. I have gained so many friendships and memories that I will always remember.”
The Bulldogs have just four seniors this season – Tali Schultz, Maggie Porter, Ava Sweeney and Jeffcott – after 11 in 2025, yet Senior Night April 28 was just as memorable and exciting.
They nearly pulled off their first victory but lost to Rosary 11-10 when the Royals converted a rebound with 6.7 seconds left. RBHS (0-8) trailed Rosary (1-9) midway through the third quarter 8-3 but kept playing as though the score was tied.
Four unanswered goals – two each by sophomores Cora Rosenfeld and Allie Ferguson – tied the game 10-10 with 59.7 seconds remaining.
“We definitely all put in our best effort, especially since we were so close,” Jeffcott said. “I think now that some of the newer players felt the energy when we were tied. Hopefully they will have that same energy no matter the score in future games.”
Co-captains Schultz and Porter plus Sweeney are four-year varsity members. Schultz earned all-sectional honors in 2025.
Riverside-Brookfield’s Brooke Zavorski (1) grabs the ball against St. Laurence during a nonconference game Tuesday, March 24, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Harper Jesswein (43) makes a save against St. Laurence during a nonconference game Tuesday, March 24, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Madison Myslinski (19) splits through the St. Laurence defenders during a nonconference game Tuesday, March 24, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
St. Laurence’s Maya Scumaci (20) and Riverside-Brookfield’s Maggie Porter (18) try to gain control of the ball during a nonconference game Tuesday, March 24, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
“Every year, no matter our record, we have fun as a team. The friendships and bond of the team makes the experience,” said Schultz, also a standout golfer and a competitive cheerleader for two years. “I really appreciate the effort the team put into that. Senior Night is a great memory as I close out my high school sports. Lacrosse is a fun team sport. Being able to cheer and encourage my teammates during the game is always a highlight. I was not able to do that much in golf or cheer.”
Porter, who will attend Indiana, is a three-sport standout. She also played basketball and tennis this past fall after three seasons of volleyball.
Jeffcott will try club lacrosse at Iowa. Schultz (Illinois) and Sweeney (Iowa) also are considering the club route. RBHS coach Elise Husemann was a club lacrosse player at Illinois.
“They’re a fantastic group. They truly are great leaders,” Husemann said. “They all have their own type of leadership style. Maggie and Tali are very vocal on and off the field. They are very much involved with having ideas about what we can change on the field and what we need to do.
“Ava and Zoe step up to that lead by example role. They’re both really good at staying positive and truly showing the younger, newer players where to go and what to do on the field and what’s expected of them.”
Ferguson is a second-year varsity player who previously never played lacrosse. She’s truly been impacted by all four seniors.
“Tali’s just held that leadership vibe. She really helped me catch on and kept me motivated and not giving up because it’s hard to catch on at first,” Ferguson said. “I love playing with (Porter). She has that grit. She doesn’t give up. Even if we’re losing by 10, she still wants to win. Ava’s a sweetheart. I can always look at her and know that she won’t be mad at me for doing something. I wouldn’t be on the team without (Jeffcott). She gave me rides to practice, always patting my back. They’re just a good, emotional support team.”
Ferguson achieved her first hat trick against Rosary. Rosenfeld also had three goals and sophomore Mia Wichmanowski and Schultz scored twice. Schultz, Porter, Rosafeld and Wichmanowski were active players the entire 48 minutes.
“It felt good to work for it, just knowing what we’re capable of and not giving something up when we have it literally there,” Ferguson said. “Now it’s securing the win next time.”