Girls’ lacrosse implements team unity to build on recent wins

The girls’ lacrosse team recently won 18-5 against Leland on March 26. The team is currently fourth in the league with top scorers senior attack Nessa Kim, junior midfield Ingrid Hong and junior center Jennie Werner leading the team’s offense. So far, the team has a record of 4-3 in the Santa Clara Valley league.

“Our team is athletic, so we are able to increase the intensity at the end of a game,” Werner said. “Our team is strong at dodging to goal, and many of our attackers can beat even three defenders.”

Prior to the game against Leland, the Falcons had their first-ever victory at home against Los Gatos on March 21.

“Now that we’re into league play, all of the games are very important,” coach Eric Wong said. “The win against Los Gatos was big for the girls and the program.

While Wong emphasized the importance of the win with Los Gatos, Werner points out that the team still has work to do.

“Our team always needs to work on our stick skills,” Werner said. “While we are one of the most athletic teams in our league, we often struggle with passing and catching. This year we’ve been a second half team and we need to work on coming out strong and playing our best the whole game.”

According to Wong, the team is starting to hit its stride as they start to play through the league schedule and is trying to stay motivated and improve skills of younger players.

“We have a lot of young and new girls on the team so there is a lot of room for improvement,” Wong said. “There is no questioning the potential. The only question is how quickly we can get to where we want to be.”

To get through the season, Werner believes that the team needs to place emphasis on unity.

“Before our LG game, we put on eye black and temporary tattoos,” Werner said. “It was a fun way to pump up the team and ensure we came out strong from the beginning.”

Because of the team’s athletic talent and ability to be mentally tougher than past years, Wong said the players to stay in games even if they aren’t playing well or the opposition is strong.

The team will be playing Santa Catalina on April 8 at home.

“Our goal this year is to make it to leagues,” Werner said. “Last year, we just barely missed the playoffs and we are determined to work hard and show everyone Saratoga is a team to be reckoned with.”