Athletes Head Into New Lacrosse Season
Lacrosse teams return with respected coaches and opportunities for player growth.
By Katie Scripoch
Lacrosse teams return with respected coaches and opportunities for player growth.
By Katie Scripoch
The spring sports season is in full swing which means that the lacrosse teams have begun practicing and playing against other local high schools.
The girls’ team competes in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League while the boys’ team competes in the newly formed section of the Blossom Valley Athletic League for lacrosse. Since BVAL has fewer teams than most leagues, the boys’ team will each face off three times in the spring regular season.
“Until we build the Pioneer lacrosse program further and attract younger players that will grow with the sport, we will continue to have a lot of players that are new to the sport. Unlike soccer and baseball in which there are opportunities for players to gain experience starting at a young age, there are no local lacrosse clubs,” said boys’ head coach Mike Rosenbaum.
Since the sport is a fairly new addition to Pioneer, both teams have faced some challenges with player recruitment and neither program has a junior varsity team that can develop the newer players. One player on the boys’ team, Gabe Sunseri, 10, has played the sport for just over a year and thinks that the larger roster will allow for more players to get time on the field.
“Because of the amount of new players, it might be harder to get all of them to varsity-level ability. Our biggest challenge has been recruitment and lack of experienced players, which still holds true to this year,” said Sunseri.
After watching her brother play lacrosse for Pioneer, Samantha Hoyt, 11, decided to join the girls’ program as well. She recognizes how well her coach, Nicole Whipple, supports the team.
“My coach helps us get better by helping us improve our technique and making practice effective,” said Hoyt.
While only in her second year as coach for the girls’ team, Whipple enjoys seeing the team dynamic work well together and has no concerns going into league play.
“I’m looking forward to winning against teams we lost to last year and (making) sure everyone is having fun,” said Whipple.
Grace Avila, 12, loves her team and is excited for her senior season, specifically playing against Leland High School on senior night which will take place on May 4.
“Everyone is energetic and so easy to get along with since we’re all so close. We always have fun at practice since it is our last year and we try to make the most out of everything,” said Avila.
The teams have had an increase in turnout which has allowed for Pioneer to continue to grow the program. Rosenbaum is hopeful that as lacrosse continues to gain interest, a JV program will be made available to athletes.
“Unlike last year we have had a much better turnout of players. For now, I do not cut players from the team and instead let them continue to join practices to learn and improve as a player. At some point if we are able to grow the program enough, then we will be able to support a JV team as well,” said Rosenbaum.
Jason State, 12, enjoys surrounding himself with his teammates because they know when to work hard but they are still able to enjoy themselves while playing.
“Our coaches are very good at understanding that we’re newer, like some of the guys are newer and that we’re going to take some time to learn new skills,” said State. “They show that because they don’t get upset, we’ve never gotten punished for not being able to do something.”
The girls’ team competes in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League while the boys’ team competes in the newly formed section of the Blossom Valley Athletic League for lacrosse. Since BVAL has fewer teams than most leagues, the boys’ team will each face off three times in the spring regular season.
“Until we build the Pioneer lacrosse program further and attract younger players that will grow with the sport, we will continue to have a lot of players that are new to the sport. Unlike soccer and baseball in which there are opportunities for players to gain experience starting at a young age, there are no local lacrosse clubs,” said boys’ head coach Mike Rosenbaum.
Since the sport is a fairly new addition to Pioneer, both teams have faced some challenges with player recruitment and neither program has a junior varsity team that can develop the newer players. One player on the boys’ team, Gabe Sunseri, 10, has played the sport for just over a year and thinks that the larger roster will allow for more players to get time on the field.
“Because of the amount of new players, it might be harder to get all of them to varsity-level ability. Our biggest challenge has been recruitment and lack of experienced players, which still holds true to this year,” said Sunseri.
After watching her brother play lacrosse for Pioneer, Samantha Hoyt, 11, decided to join the girls’ program as well. She recognizes how well her coach, Nicole Whipple, supports the team.
“My coach helps us get better by helping us improve our technique and making practice effective,” said Hoyt.
While only in her second year as coach for the girls’ team, Whipple enjoys seeing the team dynamic work well together and has no concerns going into league play.
“I’m looking forward to winning against teams we lost to last year and (making) sure everyone is having fun,” said Whipple.
Grace Avila, 12, loves her team and is excited for her senior season, specifically playing against Leland High School on senior night which will take place on May 4.
“Everyone is energetic and so easy to get along with since we’re all so close. We always have fun at practice since it is our last year and we try to make the most out of everything,” said Avila.
The teams have had an increase in turnout which has allowed for Pioneer to continue to grow the program. Rosenbaum is hopeful that as lacrosse continues to gain interest, a JV program will be made available to athletes.
“Unlike last year we have had a much better turnout of players. For now, I do not cut players from the team and instead let them continue to join practices to learn and improve as a player. At some point if we are able to grow the program enough, then we will be able to support a JV team as well,” said Rosenbaum.
Jason State, 12, enjoys surrounding himself with his teammates because they know when to work hard but they are still able to enjoy themselves while playing.
“Our coaches are very good at understanding that we’re newer, like some of the guys are newer and that we’re going to take some time to learn new skills,” said State. “They show that because they don’t get upset, we’ve never gotten punished for not being able to do something.”