Two years ago a group of freshman players put in the extra work to be able to make the girls’ varsity lacrosse team, and now, as juniors, they are leading the current underclassmen from offseason captains practices into the regular season.
Junior Natalie Breuner said that two years ago as freshman she and a group of other girls had to work extra hard to make the varsity team, as there wasn’t a junior varsity team until this year.
“Our freshman year, our coach told us that not everybody was going to make it and there was only a varsity team, so us and a few others practiced really hard every single day before even preseason started because we were really devoted and really wanted to make the team,” she said.
The girls’ lacrosse program held captain’s practices this offseason, led by these same girls who worked hard on their own as freshman, and other upperclassmen.
Each leader was elected by head coach Tressa Bronner to lead the team in a certain area.
“We all had specific duties,” junior Julia Schnoll said. “Mine was to focus on defense because I’m a defensive player. Julia [Hansen]’s (junior) was on running in order to get up endurance. Blaine [Darden]’s (senior) was on offense, and Natalie [Breuner] ‘s was about teaching people how to play.”
The varsity team will welcome back two returning second team All MCAL players: Schnoll on defense and Darden on offense.
After graduating its senior goalie last year, the team will also rely on less experienced Christine Cook at the position, but Breuner said that Cook is naturally strong and works hard.
Hansen said that having an inexperienced goalie will hopefully heighten the play of teammates to support her.
“It motivates us as field players to work so hard not to let the ball get to her cage,” she said.
Teammates said that other potential impact players on the team include junior Ariella Rosenthal and senior Molly Hunt.
The team will also face the obstacle of a section of their practice field being blocked off for construction.
The team’s next game is Mar. 8th against Miramonte High School.
