Everyone knows who the girls’ lacrosse players are at Staples High School.

It is undeniable that they are a close team. They travel through the hallways in giant packs, sometimes matching their outfits, and on the day of a game are seen carrying their lacrosse sticks from class to class, a tradition that has been around for years.

“The ‘Don’t-touch-the-stick’ rule has been around for a long time, since before we were freshmen,” said captain Kenzie Roof ’12, who plays low-defense.

Roof explains the idea is that the stick is basically an extension of their bodies, and they decide who can touch it.

“It’s about demanding respect for what is rightfully ours and protecting those things,” Roof said.

Besides keeping this, the team bonds in other ways to stay close.

Katie Kleinberg ’12, who plays defense, says that the team hangs out before and after games to watch a movie, or eat pasta dinners together.

“We like doing things that can bring the whole team, from freshman to seniors, together,” Kleinberg said.

The team also bonds by matching their hair in fun and different ways. Ryan Kirshner ’13, who plays attacking midfield, said that all team members got blue feather extensions in their hair, and last year they all dyed a streak of their hair blue. She also said that they may dye their hair blue again to show their spirit.

“It just shows our pride and how much we love our team,” Kirshner said.

Though these traditions are out there for all of Staples to see, some traditions are kept solely within the girls’ lacrosse circle.

Kirshner said, “I can’t say too much because a few things are only between the team, and I am superstitious.”

The team seems to agree that team bonding sets the foundation for a successful season. Jessie Ambrose ’12, who plays attack wing, says that after playing on multiple teams, she believes that whatever team is the closest and has the best chemistry off the field seems to be most successful on the field.

“It’s the little things that contribute to this bond like putting feathers in your hair, going to scout games together, cleaning up after practice with teammates—regardless of your age—getting to know each other’s lives out of lacrosse, and communicating more in practice and games that helps contribute to the special relationship,” Ambrose said.

“Our team chemistry continues to grow, and so does our potential of excelling this season in States and FCIACS.”

With a record of 11-3 this season, the team shows that bonding can definitely have a positive effect on success.