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Okayama University Lacrosse Team Makes History

On November 15, 2025, the men's lacrosse team of Okayama University, located in Okayama City, achieved a historic milestone by securing a spot in the top four at the 16th All Japan University Lacrosse Championship held at Hiroshima Hiroshima Park. They accomplished their long-sought goal of winning a match against a rival university, which had been a driving focus since last year's season ended without any victories.

The dedication and effort of the team culminated in a stunning victory in the first round against Kyoto University, with a score of 5-4. This achievement is a testament to the team’s spirit and perseverance. After experiencing a disappointing loss in the previous year's national tournament, the team had set the ambitious target of winning at least one match this academic year and worked tirelessly to realize that dream.

Earlier in October, the team showcased their prowess by clinching their second consecutive title at the 32nd Chugoku-Shikoku Student Lacrosse League Championship. The momentum carried them through to the national stage, where they continued to perform admirably, ultimately reaching the semifinals. Despite a narrow defeat to Waseda University in the semifinals, where they scored 5 against 11, the team left the field with smiles, reflecting on a season spent in harmony and commitment to one another.

As they look forward to the future, the Okayama University men's lacrosse team is also actively involved in promoting lacrosse at the grassroots level, hosting youth lacrosse events to inspire the next generation of players. The team is optimistic about securing further achievements in the upcoming seasons, buoyed by the strong support from their university and the local community.

Reflections from Team Leaders

Naoshi Fujita, the offensive leader and a fourth-year engineering student, expressed, “This year’s team didn't have anyone who stood out as exceptionally skilled, but together we harnessed our collective strengths to achieve our goal. It truly was a team effort. Our diverse values and perspectives have been embraced as strengths rather than obstacles, which played a significant role in our success. Though I will retire this year, I believe the team will achieve even greater results next season, and I will support them as a fan.”

Kazuki Watanabe, the defensive leader from the education faculty, stated, “This past year has been incredibly fun. With a fantastic leadership team, trustworthy coaches, and enthusiastic underclassmen, the time spent working toward our goal has been precious. I encourage everyone to read Captain Matsuda's blog to understand the team dynamics this year. I believe it will be an enthralling story that you don’t want to miss.” He also advised students at the university to show their support when they encounter team members, stating, “Let’s unite and aim for a better outcome next year.”

Masaya Nagano, the vice-captain pursuing engineering, shared his excitement and challenges from the past year: “This has been the most intense, rewarding, and fun year of my life. While we initially struggled to achieve results and faced many frustrations, the entire team maintained our focus and worked diligently throughout the year. As a result, we accomplished our goal of reaching the top four, a feat that has eluded us for decades. Next year, as captain, I will do my utmost to build on the new possibilities shown by our seniors and pursue the elusive ‘number one’ spot in Japan.”

Encouraging Future Participation

The team members hold a strong belief in community and cooperation as essential elements of their growth and success. As they gear up for the next competitive season, they invite the support of Okayama University and the surrounding community, emphasizing that collective efforts will be crucial in breaking through any barriers they face.

With historic accomplishments under their belt, fans and supporters alike are eagerly anticipating what this dynamic team will achieve in the future.