The Lake Orion High School Girls? Lacrosse team is looking forward to another good season, and head coach Bill Booth said the team has been getting better and better.
‘We’re now in our fourth year, and we started in our first season only winning two games,? said Booth. ‘The next year we won five, and in our third year we won nine, tied two, and went to playoffs.
‘In three short years, we went from beginners to going to playoffs.?
The team finished last year with a record of 9-7-2, claiming the runner-up position in the regional semi-finals. For the first time since the inception of the team, a number of players have graduated, but Booth remains positive about the fourth year, also mentioning that some players have been with the team for it’s entire existence.
‘We have three really great captains – Ashley Dakki, Corey Tremblay, and Ronnie Booth, all seniors,? said Booth. ‘These players have all been involved with the teams four year run, and they really exemplify what (co-head coach Debbie Booth) and I are looking for on the field and in the classroom.?
Booth said one of the teams greatest challenges for the upcoming year came as a result of losing both goaltenders, who graduated in 2010. Because of this, he will have to bring in a new goalie, and rely on the team’s defense to help build her into a varsity quality player.
‘We lost out leading scorer, and our three year goalie last year, so all our goal tenders will be sophomores,? said Booth. ‘Protecting a young goalie will be a tall chore for us because it’s important for a goal tender to build confidence, and it’s hard for inexperienced players to do that.
‘But we have a very experienced defense, and they will help her out as best they can, so I think we’ll be ok.?
Booth and his wife, Debbie, have been coaching the team since they started it in 2008. While Debbie is formerly of Lake Orion, the two moved from Maryland, starting the team soon after their arrival. Booth admits that his bid to start the team was somewhat self-serving.
‘When we got here, we found that there was no team, and our two daughters, Chelsea and Ronnie, wanted to play lacrosse,? said Booth, chuckling. ‘Ronnie plays right now on the high school team, while Chelsea plays for Oakland University and coaches the JV team here in Lake Orion.?
‘We love this game, and we want to take it forward as far as we can.?
Forty-four girls tried out for the 10 to 12 spots available on the team on Monday, March 14.
The girls? first homegame will be against Whitelake-Huron Valley on Monday, March 28.