Birmingham Public Schools
Birmingham, Michigan
United in Excellence: Birmingham Women’s Lax Celebrates Senior Night
Senior Night – Honoring the class of 2026
As the sun sets on another regular season, Birmingham United Girls Lacrosse paused this week to celebrate a group of student-athletes who have become the backbone of the program. The “United” roster—a powerhouse combination of talent from both Seaholm and Groves—honored seven seniors who have left an indelible mark on the field and within the locker room.
The evening was a reflection of years of commitment, with some players having picked up their sticks nearly a decade ago. For these seniors, the program has been more than just a sports team; it has been a second home.
Tradition and Teamwork
For many of the seniors, the most cherished memories had less to do with the scoreboard and more to do with the bond shared between teammates. Elle Kisabeth, a five-year veteran of the program, noted that the simple moments—like pasta parties and pre-game rituals in the locker room—defined her high school experience. Similarly, sisters Dylan and Jordan Schoenberg both looked back fondly on the sophomore year varsity campout as a turning point for team chemistry.
The theme of friendship resonated throughout the ceremony. Callie Wascha and Sloan Licari both highlighted the long car rides to away games as their favorite memories, proving that the journey is often just as important as the destination.
A Legacy of Gratitude
No athlete reaches senior night alone, and the class of 2026 made sure to recognize the village that supported them. From Hadley Kostello’s appreciation for the teammates who were by her side during her nine-year lacrosse journey, to Caitlin Oguin’s tribute to the coaches and parents who fueled her 15-year career in the sport, the night was a chorus of thank-yous.
The Next Chapter
While their time in the United jersey is coming to a close, these seniors are preparing to take their talents across the country. The Class of 2026 will be represented at some of the nation’s top universities:
- Caitlin Oguin will be taking her game to the next level, playing Division 1 Lacrosse at Bryant University while studying Kinesiology.
- Hadley Kostello (Pre-Med) and Dylan Schoenberg (History) head to Ann Arbor at The University of Michigan.
- Jordan Schoenberg is headed to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study Communication Arts.
- Elle Kisabeth will pursue Biology at the University of Tennessee.
- Callie Wascha will head to the University of Kentucky to study Psychology.
- Sloan Licari is set to join the Spartan community at Michigan State University.
As these seven seniors prepare for their final post-season run, the Birmingham community stands behind them. They arrived as individual players from two different schools, but they leave as a unified force that has set the standard for future generations of United lacrosse.
Congratulations to the Birmingham United Class of 2026!
Gritty Performance Against Mustangs
BIRMINGHAM, MI — In a clash of local titans separated by less than a mile, the atmosphere at tonight’s lacrosse showdown was nothing short of electric. It was Senior Night for Birmingham United—the combined powerhouse of Groves and Seaholm—as they hosted the Marian Mustangs in a highly anticipated non-league battle.
Ranked 5th in the state with a 10-4 record, Birmingham faced a steep challenge against the 4th-ranked Mustangs (9-1). While the scoreboard reflected a back-and-forth defensive struggle, the night belonged to the spirit of the Birmingham seniors and a relentless offensive attack led by Coco Jelenic and Caitlin O’Guinn.
A Tale of Two Halves
The evening kicked off with a momentum-building 10-7 victory for the Birmingham JV squad, setting the stage for the varsity units.
Birmingham came out swinging in the first quarter. Coco Jelenic ignited the home crowd early, netting two goals within the first three minutes of play. However, Marian’s Meghan MacMichael and Caroline Quaine answered back to keep the score tight.
The second quarter saw a surge of Birmingham synergy:
- Elle Kisabeth found the back of the net off a sharp assist from Caitlin O’Guinn.
- Just seconds later, O’Guinn turned from playmaker to scorer, punching in a goal with an assist from Jelenic.
- Jelenic remained unstoppable, adding two more goals in the final three minutes of the half to keep Birmingham neck-and-neck with the Mustangs.
Defending the Den
Freshman goalie Maya Forberg stood tall under immense pressure. Her performance was punctuated by a “save of the year” candidate at the 11:11 mark of the fourth quarter, where she denied a Marian free shot.
Forberg’s vision was also on full display during the third quarter; after a massive save, she launched a perfect outlet pass to Jelenic to clear the zone. Even while playing a “person down” due to a penalty, Birmingham’s resilience shone through as Jelenic managed to weave through the Mustang defense for a shorthanded goal.
Final Push
The fourth quarter was a shootout. Despite a late scoring run by Marian’s MacMichael, Birmingham refused to go quietly.
- Caitlin O’Guinn notched her second goal of the night with five minutes remaining.
- Elle Kisabeth followed suit with a clutch goal at the 1:55 mark.
- Jane Brush capped off the scoring for Birmingham, assisted by O’Guinn, in a final display of the team’s “never quit” mentality.
Birmingham Stat Leaders
|
Player |
Goals |
Assists |
|
Coco Jelenic |
5 |
1 |
|
Caitlin O’Guinn |
2 |
2 |
|
Elle Kisabeth |
2 |
0 |
|
Jane Brush |
1 |
0 |
While the final tally against the 4th-ranked Mustangs was a nail-biter resulting in a 12-11 loss, Birmingham United proved they belong among the state’s elite.
Birmingham begins state tournament play on May 20 at 7 PM against the winner of Bloomfield Hills/Cass Tech.
