Freedom's lacrosse programs both saw their seasons end last week in the opening round of the District 11 tournament, but it didn't take away from the type of season the boys and girls experienced this year.

After four years of competing in junior varsity and varsity levels, the Patriots made their own piece of history by qualifying both teams. The boys lost to Moravian Academy 8-7 last week, while the girls lost to Southern Lehigh 19-7.

But the real battle for lacrosse in Bethlehem continues to take place, as the programs hope that they can knock down the proverbial door for funding through the Bethlehem Area School District for next season.

Girls' head coach Charis Innarella knows it's an important period of time for lacrosse in Bethlehem and hoped that progress could have been made at Monday's school board meeting.

"Lacrosse is such a popular and fast growing sport," Innarella said. "The feeder programs in the BTAA are flourishing and continuing to grow in numbers. We hope the board will vote to adopt and make our teams an official part of the BASD interscholastic sports. A final review is scheduled in June. We appreciate the support our athletic directors Diane Jordan [Freedom] and Fred Harris [Liberty] have given to our programs. Having Dr. Roy and his family in attendance for the Freedom-Liberty stadium game for the boys was greatly appreciated."

There was no official vote at Monday's meeting on lacrosse, but there was favorable discussion to have lacrosse absorbed by the current athletic budget, negating the need for additional funding.

As far as results from the season, boys head coach Patrick Conroy understood the importance of the nine graduating seniors from his team and how they've helped push lacrosse in the right direction.

"The experience was a good one for our guys, it cemented their legacy," he said. "They've made their mark on the program and set the stage for the future.

"That being said it was also disappointing because it was not just our objective to make the playoffs but to make the playoffs and win.

"It shows people that we are not just here to show up and have fun. We have our sights set high and we intend to work hard to continue to improve toward making the state tournament."

Innarella couldn't have been happier about how her first season in charge of the program developed as well.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for our seniors," she said. "They are the founding members of Freedom lacrosse. To have had the opportunity to coach such great kids and scholar athletes has been very rewarding.

"Captains Natalie Rold, Erin Healy, Macey Walker have been a huge part of the success of our team, as well as seniors Kirsten Bell, Antonia Spadafora and Velisa Lee. I'm grateful for the trust and respect they have given me. It has been an amazing first year and my seniors are all so deserving of the many positive accomplishments this team has achieved together."

And now all of Bethlehem's lacrosse supporters hope that approval by the board will be another achievement for the sport.

"It is yet to be seen if any doors are opened to us as a result of this season," Conroy said. "Regardless, we will continue to adhere to our philosophy that hard work, determination and discipline are the keys to success on and off the field."