Credit to Tasia Lowe

Varsity lacrosse team listens to fead back given by coach Rowan Pugh.

For the lacrosse team, this season comes with a huge number of obstacles and challenges. With the departure of eight seniors last season, the lacrosse team has limited experience and leadership on the roster, with only senior Ari Larsen returning this year. However, according to junior Jocelyn Kuker, the team is still holding its spirits high and is preparing for a good season. 

“I would say we’re hoping for a positive outcome this season, and we’re hoping to increase our winning record,” Kuker said. “But also, just like figuring out how to navigate everything without as many experienced players on the team.” 

Even with the limited amount of experience and senior leadership, the lacrosse team has still managed to find established leadership on the team. According to coach Rowan Pugh, it’s just about finding the right qualities in a player. 

“I’m looking for people who are kind, first and foremost, who can take initiative, but also can take constructive criticism,” Pugh said. “We have some girls who are pretty experienced, even though they’re young, so I think just leaning on those players who have experience, trying to help the more inexperienced ones.” 

One of those players is junior Morgan Conlon. She has been playing on the lacrosse team for three years and sees herself as a crucial leader on the team.

I think I have to step up into a bigger role this year. I think that, again, because I think there are just fewer people who are playing and know what they’re doing. So, being able to help them,” Conlon said. 

Even with the lack of returning leadership this season, the lacrosse team sees this as a window of growth and opportunity and is ready to adapt and stay mentally prepared throughout the season ahead. 

“I would just say like relying on each other as a team [is going to be important for us to adapt] because we know that people are going to make mistakes and we know that we’re going to have some rough patches,” Kuker said. “So, I think just like relying on each other and knowing that there’s going to be hard times, but like, we can get through it, is going to be the biggest thing for us this year.”