There is nothing fun about losing, but the past couple losing seasons the Silver Lake girls’ lacrosse team has endured could very well lead them to success this time around.
Even as they missed out on the playoffs last season, the Lakers were competitive, finishing their year at 8-12. In fact, it was their best record yet and a major upgrade over 2015 when they won just two games.
As last year progressed, the Lakers got hot. Albeit their first half underwhelmed, starting the year at 2-7, they went 6-5 in their final 11 which is an indication their team grew as the year progressed. And it is not like most of the players who gained that experience and progressed are gone either; the Lakers only lost two players to graduation: Emily Hanson on the attack and goalkeeper Colby Nolan. While both were valuable contributors, the Lakers are fortunate that most of their team returned.
Allowing just 8.6 goals per contest last season, defense is expected to be the Lakers’ strength and it will be up to seniors Jess Howard, Danielle Levin, Mikaela Wilson, Sophia Quinn and Tess Grieber to limit the opposition’s attack this season.
On the attack, the Lakers seniors Leah Mason and Nina Whidden, who were Patriot League All-Stars last year, and Cameron Daly to pour in goals this season. After all, the trip combined for 65 scores last season which was more than 40 percent of the team’s offensive production.
With this sort of experience coming back and the success they enjoyed for much of last year, the Lakers look as though they are built for postseason contention. In order for a team playing a 20 game schedule to make it to the playoffs, they would need 10 wins.
The Lakers next home game is Tuesday, Apr. 11 against the Hanover Indians, who went 11-6 last season.