New coaching staff brings different perspective to team

With the fourth consecutive year of a new coach for the girls’ lacrosse team, players were hopeful for something new, and that’s exactly what they got.

Head coach Eric Wong stepped up from JV to varsity this year. He brings with him two assistant coaches, Tim Yen and Leaf Huynh.

Wong does not have a whole lot of experience with girls’ lacrosse, but he’s not lacking in the sports background. He was an assistant coach for a boys’ lacrosse team in Michigan in 2009, he was on the University of Michigan’s football team’s staff for three years, he has interned for the 49ers for two years and he was the assistant coach for Saratoga’s JV football team last year.

Wong believes he can bring a different perspective to the team.

“I am far from the most experienced coach in this league,” Wong said. “But as an outsider who is knowledgeable about a number of sports I can analyze things a bit differently than others.”

Senior captain Carolynn Choi feels Wong’s new coaching style is beneficial to the team.

“Since we’ve had so many coach changes, it’s been a rough few years,” Choi said. “However, the team is responding well to Eric’s coaching style. Last year, we just worked on plays and trying to get easy goals in, but this year, we’re working on speed and better turnover technique while moving the ball from defense to offense.”

Choi has been with the lacrosse program since it started in 2009. She believes that it takes a lot of dedication to be able to improve skills and technique and feels that Wong has the same ideals.

“Eric knows how to focus on the essentials and expects us to improve every single day,” Choi said. “He knows what he’s doing, and we haven’t had a problem with anything he’s taught us so far.”

As of March 23, the team is 2-2 in league games. They suffered a disappointing loss to Los Gatos on March 21, 18-8. It was especially difficult since the team’s head coach last year, Merryl Buric, left Saratoga to coach at Los Gatos.

“When news broke out that Buric decided to coach for LG, current members were surprised at the move, since we were looking forward to having a consistent coach,” Choi said. “Regardless, we’re all pleased and thankful to have Wong, Yen, and Hunyh step up as coaches, and we are definitely working much harder this year under their guidance.”

Wong also brings hope to secure a spot in the SCVAL playoffs this year.

“We need to work on attention to detail to improve stick skills and movement fundamentals,” Wong said. “If we continue to work we can do some damage in this league and make a push for the playoffs.”