When the Lady Wolves concluded last season – this year’s returners and Coach Renee Turner knew changes would have to be made.
The changes started on the field as well as in every player to put last year’s ending record, 4-2-7, into a distant memory.
‘The girls have been coming to grips they have to make a bigger commitment to the team to raise their skill level,? said Turner. ‘They have been working really hard.?
One of this year’s focuses is to practice each day as they would want to play on game day.
‘Hard, aggressive and strong,? Turner explained on how the girls have been preparing for game day.
Another focus is commitment to playing as a team.
‘We are going to start with a good foundation of putting the time in and working as a team – not as individuals,? said Turner. ‘Lacrosse isn’t really a game of running but a game of passing.?
Changing the players? mindset on the game can help in the long run as they pass to each other noticing which of their teammates is open to push the ball forward or to score.
The team lost a majority of their players last year to graduation and Turner is looking to this year’s seniors Katie Chasins, Andrea Kovacic and Cassie Neynaber to lead the team.
‘They help build the program with integrity,? said Turner. ‘They take a big part in practices and motivation and keeping an eye on the end result. As well as keeping the girls working hard.?
Kovacic and Chasins will lead on offense while Neynabar leads the defense end of the field.
Also making a return for her second year on varsity is sophomore Danielle Dunn, playing both attack and defensive wing.
Many of the new faces on the team were moved up from last year’s JV team and have been playing since they were in middle school.
‘The skill level was higher from the get-go. It has helped tremendously,? Turner added.
‘I have very talented sophomores, juniors and a freshman,? she said. ‘We are in it for the long haul. We are planting seeds. We want a team that plays with integrity.?
The girls start competing in games this week and took on Waterford United on Tuesday.
They play their home opener against Carman-Ainsworth on Friday night.
‘We haven’t looked at where they are at,? Turner admitted. ‘We have been focusing on us and where we are at in skill level.?
Turner and the players are focused on making this season more successful than last year.
‘The best things to learn out of life come out of the hard experiences,? she said. ‘We have to work through it to get to the other side. That is our goal – get the basics, get the skill level, work as a team and the success will follow.?
Ainsworth played two games before The Clarkston News went to print. They lost both, scoring only three points and giving up 23 points. JV begins at 5:30 p.m. and varsity follows.
‘I am excited about the season. I am really hopeful they are going to be more successful this year,? said Turner.