By Ava Sinacori | Writer/Photographer
February 21, 2020
After a long and enduring training season, girls’ lacrosse is finally starting their season. With their first game scheduled next Tuesday against Edison High School, these strong minded San Clemente girls hope to play their best no matter the opponent, score, refs, or uncontrollable factors.
Last season, the team finished second in league. They successfully made it to the quarterfinals of CIF, where they matched up against Saint Margaret’s. SCHS put up a tough fight, but Saint Margaret’s unfortunately took a strong lead and didn’t leave enough time for SCHS to come back. Finishing their previous season with an overall record of six wins and two losses, the girls are ready to prove themselves once again. A significant amount of strong seniors graduated last year, including some of the team’s key players, but they have a gritty team this season that has trained diligently and will work hard to make up for their lost alumni.
“Last season was so fun and was one of my favorite years,” SCHS senior lacrosse player Gabriela Perez said. “We grew together and ended up surpassing all expectations!”
The girls’ lax team is currently lead by head coach Josh Cain and assistant coach Tommy Thompson. Coach Cain took over the girls’ team in 2012 aiming to grow the program at the high school and locally. Additionally, he earned his Masters Degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration at Concordia University. The assistant, Coach Tommy, played club lacrosse at San Diego State University and has been on the coaching staff ever since the start of the San Clemente High School girls lacrosse team back in 2009.
“My favorite part about playing lacrosse is the atmosphere,” SCHS senior lacrosse team member Paige Campbell said. “The coaches are consistently positive and know what we need to do to be successful. As for the girls, we encourage each other and work hard as a team.”
The team has also recently gained a new coach this season: Kelly Maloney. She played D1 college lacrosse at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Maryland.
“I once heard that the difference between good and great is when you are willing to ‘die’ in training. While that is an extreme, the ideals make sense,” Maloney said. “If you are willing to wake up at 4:00am to train while everyone else is sleeping you have that sense of urgency to be great. Not only that, but being resilient. As an athlete, you must be resilient with the ability to grow mentally and physically.”
Maloney’s goal as a new coach this season is to support the team physically as well as mentally, ultimately observing the growth in her players in all aspects, not just in lacrosse.
With high hopes for this upcoming season, the team will create many opportunities for future and current SCHS girls lacrosse players. Go Tritons!
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