Despite their relative youth, injuries and a grueling schedule, the St. Stephens and St. Agnes Saints girls lacrosse team battled back to win their fifth consecutive state title last Saturday. 
    
The Saints pummeled Collegiate 18-2 in Norfolk en route to a Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association championship, capping off a 31-2 season for the storied program. 
    
But it didnt come easy, said head coach Kathy Jenkins. If she had to pick a turning point, it would have been either their disappointing loss to Good Counsel during the annual Spring Fling or their narrow May 2 victory over St. Pauls.  
    
I think they just realized how hard they had to work and they wanted to end the season on a good note, Jenkins said. When they were in the St. Pauls game in May, it was so close and they pulled out that win they were really happy. I think they knew what they had to do to be a top team.
    
There were few close calls after that critical come-from-behind victory. The Saints regularly outscored their opponents by 10 or more goals. Only Georgetown Visitation gave them a run for their money, the Saints passing them by a mere three goals.  
    
With just three seniors graduating, dont look to the Saints to slow down at all next year. Sophomores Carly Reed and Besser Dyson, the teams leading scorers, will return to round out a veteran squad. 
    
Theyre all going to have more experience, Jenkins said. I would expect that theyll just get better and better and theyll come along.