After being undefeated League Champions and advancing into the quarterfinal round of CIFs last year, the UC High Girls Lacrosse Team is aiming to achieve even better things this year.
The team has been working hard during preseason, ensuring they’re prepared for the season ahead. “Preseason has been going great. Getting back into things and getting to see everyone again has been fun. Everyone is getting excited for another amazing season,” said Senior Captain Addison Stoppenhagen. “I think it’s a lot more organized than last year, and I feel like we can accomplish a decent amount every time we practice,” said Senior Emilia Ghandour.
Having her first year assistant coaching the team last season, Varsity Defensive Coach Amanda Khozouri explained that her first year was a challenging but exciting experience. She said, “Last year being my first year coaching at UC was exciting and challenging. But by far the best part about coaching was getting to know the players, and seeing the passion in their eyes, knowing that their future in lacrosse is brighter with more opportunities than I ever had.”
This year, Khozouri hopes to carry on the undefeated League Champions title, hoping to win the championship for the third year in a row. She emphasized her goals for the team this season. “This year, we hope to add in more plays, a new transition, and continue to grow the ‘lax’ program at UC,” Khozouri said. “I believe the most effective drill is a scrimmage. It highlights team dynamics, creativity, Lacrosse IQ, and players learn how to bounce back from a mistake to make the next play,” she added.
Having lost seven seniors, the team knows the season will bring various adjustments. “I think a big adjustment this year would be our goalie position. We graduated our goalie last year and our new goalie, Senior Eliza Hudson, has been playing with the team as a lacrosse goalie for only a year. So relying on someone new in goal and playing to her strengths will definitely be something different,” said Ghandour.
With eight returning seniors this year, they want to make the best out of their senior years and end it in the best way possible. “As a senior, my goal for the team is to play as a unified group and have fun. At the end of the day, nobody wants to come off the field in a bad mood, and I’m hoping that if we can rely on each other and work together as a team, this season will be amazing,” said Ghandour.
“I think that the team will do great this year. Hopefully, with all the talent on the team, we will win CIFs and continue to be undefeated League Champions,” said Stoppenhagen.