Washington boys lacrosse makes history with IHSA playoff victory

The Washington co-op boys lacrosse team made history on Friday night.

The Panthers became the first lacrosse program from the Peoria area to win an Illinois High School Association plaque after a 13-8 victory over Lockport in the Washington Sectional championship at Babcook Field.

Washington now advances to face Chicago St. Ignatius at 6 p.m. Tuesday in a supersectional at Plainfield North. The winner of that match advances to the state finals next weekend at Hinsdale Central.

Washington made the sectional championship last season, but lost to the Tinley Park Andrew co-op.

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Which Peoria-area schools have lacrosse?

The Peoria area has two cooperative lacrosse programs in both girls and boys, hosted by Dunlap and Washington. Dunlap's co-op includes Illinois Valley Central, Peoria High, Manual and Richwoods. Washington co-op includes Eureka, Metamora, Morton and Pekin.

Dunlap's boys were the first to compete in the IHSA state series in the 2017-18 season. Washington's boys joined the following year. Washington's girls first competed in the 2018-19 IHSA postseason, while Dunlap joined in 2022-23.

This is the IHSA's seventh season hosting a lacrosse state series for boys and sixth season for girls. It is a single-class sport with 98 programs in the boys state series and 82 in the girls state series.

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