Working with a team filled with a “strong” younger class, the girls lacrosse team is looking to take strides of improvement this season and those in the future, according to their coach.

“We have a lot of new, young players, so we are looking forward to a lot of growth on the team, being able to increase our skills and introduce our new players to the sport,” Head Coach Mrs. Beth Karfs said.

Karfs, who’s been a coach on the team for all of the six years it has been a certified sport, talked about the chances for new players this coming year.

“We have a particularly strong sophomore and junior class,” Karfs said. “Since we had a lot of seniors last year, I don’t think they had the opportunity to shine on the field, and I think they are really going to come through for us this year.”

One such player is sophomore Kathryn Rechenberg, a midfielder for the Colts.

“I think it will be easy to adapt because every year we get a new variety of girls that come to try out, and everyone has a different skill set,” Rechenberg said.

“Our team is always welcoming to new players, and as the season continues we become better players and friends,” Rechenberg said.

While friendship is a very important aspect to enjoying anything, there’s still room for improvement, according to Rechenberg.

“I think if our team is to improve, we will have to do so by mastering the basics of lacrosse, such as throwing and catching because these skills are essential to winning games,” Rechenberg said.

Although the team is looking for new help, the girls are already blessed with what they consider strong leadership.

“I enjoy that our team’s very welcoming and supportive,” Rechenberg said. “Even through tough practices and games, our captains Katie Gates and Amy Camp always are very encouraging.”

While senior Katie Gates was picked to be a captain for the coming season, she will have to miss the year on the field for an unusual reason.

“Due to me leaving for the Marine Corps, I can no longer play this year, which means the team must select another captain to fill my place and work alongside fellow captain Amy Camp,” Gates said.

Looking forward to her time in the armed forces, the senior does have regret about missing the season.

“I feel terrible for leaving my team, and really don’t want to leave them, Gates said. “Lacrosse has always been my passion, and I love being a leader for my team, as seeing how much the team has improved by the end of the season makes you feel great.”

Even though her co-leader may be gone from the field in the coming year, Amy Camp already has several goals set that will let her help the team as captain.

“Having a positive attitude and strong work ethic are the best things I can do for the team,” Camp said. “When we’re losing at halftime and everyone wants to quit, it’s the positive attitude that gives us enough hope to fight to the end of the game.”

Camp remembers that she was one time at the same spot as many of the new faces on the lacrosse team.

“The majority of seniors started in the younger girls shoes, with no lacrosse experience,” Gates said.

“We’ve been taking new players every year, so I’m confident in the team’s ability to produce players that can compete with other teams.”

Along with the senior leaders, at least one younger player will also continue to look to the coaches as a strong example for how the team should operate.

“I enjoy and respect the coaches’ contributions to the team,” sophomore Chloe Kersten said. “They encourage us all and give everyone the extra push and motivation that’s needed, which help me grow to be a stronger player.”

This year, the coaches are making sure to set specific goals and are making it a focus to pick reachable goals the team members can keep their sights on.

“We measure our success based on small progress, small goals,” Karfs said. “We really look at setting personal and individual goals, focus on skills and particular strategies we are trying to accomplish.”

Some of the players also have their own goals, including Camp.

“The win-loss column is just kind of the end result for us,” Camp said. “Even if the wins and losses don’t shake out because we have a new team, we’re still going to be able to achieve some success and have a good feeling about where we are at the end of the season.”