Fresh boys’ lacrosse team faces rebuilding season

Courtesy of Emmy Pak

Senior Cooper Call lowers his shoulder into Pacific grove defender

Head Coach: Bryan Dodge

Last year’s record: The team did not have a season last year due to insufficient signups and unavailability of coaching staff.

Recap: After the ‘23 season was canceled, some members attended practices led by current assistant coach Ian Morran as a replacement season.

Key Matchups: Palo Alto

Star Players: Seniors defender Kyle Scola and midfielder Daniel Cordova and junior midfielder Sawyer Chao

Key losses to graduation: N/A

League: Pacific Coastal Athletic League – Gabilan

Prognosis:

The boys’ lacrosse team lost their first game 15-1 against Palo Alto on March 7. While they were able to keep up with the physicality and aggressiveness throughout the game, they fell short due to weak offense.

This performance exemplifies the team’s main weakness this year: A lack of experienced players stemming from a senior-heavy roster in the ‘22 season and a canceled season last year.

This year, the Falcons are looking forward to rebuilding the lacrosse program. With only a handful of players who have prior lacrosse experience, the team hasn’t been able to work on advanced drills and strategies. Instead, the upperclassmen have been coaching underclassmen on basic skills such as catching and throwing. 

Senior defender Kyle Scola and midfielder Daniel Cordova, both veterans of the sport, often work with underclassmen and new players on making sure their technique is optimal. 

  “We have a lot of players who are already athletes in football and basketball and are playing lacrosse for the first time,” Cordova said. “For the most part, we have a lot of players in shape physically but lack the technical skills to execute during games.”

Sophomore midfielder Brennan Pak joined the team this season after playing volleyball and football last year and club volleyball for four years. He said the risk of injury was one motivating factor to join lacrosse over volleyball.

“I’m trying to spend more time with the seniors that are leaving,” he said. “I play a lot because of my friends, and a bunch of them are on the team.”

According to Pak, the Falcons struggled with offense and keeping the ball, leaving their defense tired. 

“Since this year is mostly focused toward rebuilding the program, we might not have the skills and foundations other schools have, but I am happy I got to play one last year of lacrosse in high school,” Cordova said. “I am optimistic the team will be able to be a strong contender in our league in the next few years.”