As one of the newer teams on campus, boys’ lacrosse continues to improve their skills and plays in order to create a solid foundation for their team for years to come. Currently standing in fifth place in the Pacific Coastal Athletic League out of 12 schools with a record of 3-7, the team hopes to attract more players next school year by continuing to develop their teamwork and gameplay rather than individual and technical skills to end the season strong.
Under head coach Brian Dodge’s guidance, senior and captain midfielder Sawyer Chao said the team’s improvements have been dramatic this year. On Feb. 28, the team played Hollister High and lost 12-4; then, on April 23, they played the Haybalers for the second time but turned the tables and won 14-3.
Junior and captain midfielder Brennan Pak attributed the team’s progress to many players initially joining the team late due to the end of the winter season overlapping with the start of the lacrosse season.
Senior and attackman Finn Smith, the team’s leading scorer, played soccer during the winter season. In the rematch against Hollister, Pak noted that Smith played a big part in their offense.
Since the team is relatively small with 18 athletes, new players are quickly given chances on the field — 10 players play at a time, allowing them to gain in-game experience and improve faster as a result.
As for the more experienced players on the team, Pak said it’s important to avoid ball hogging to ensure no player gets burned out from constantly trying to move the ball throughout the field.
During a game, Dodge places a responsibility on the captains — Pak and Chao — to talk and communicate — especially when morale is low, and look past any mistakes.
“We aren’t afraid to talk to each other. Especially when giving feedback, we’re fine being a little harsh,” Pak said.
After games, the team meets directly afterward to discuss the game and then during practice, they typically run through any plays that need adjusting.
Approaching the end of the season, the team continues to focus less on individual aspects like working on technical skills and more on in-game plays and better ways to score. They hope to end the season strong with their game on May 7 against Monte Vista Christian.
“We are implementing way more plays in offense like just getting the ball down the field,” Chao said. “We have improved immensely and evolved so much as a team since the start of our season. Our skills [have gotten] much better, especially regarding our new players.”
