Lacrosse team improves teamwork to excel

After an impressive season record, the boys’ lacrosse team missed making it to playoffs by only two goals in the game against Carlmont on May 1.   

Nevertheless, the boys’ lacrosse team went 12-6-0 with victories against  Watsonville 15-3 on April 7, Gunn 16-4 on April 10, York 14-5 on April 13 and Woodside 10-2 on April 24.

Sophomore midfield and attack Tony Capek attributes the improvement to better teamwork this season.

“We definitely got better playing as a team. Last year, we played as individuals but we came together more this year,” Capek said. “Last year, we thought we were good enough to [succeed] on our own, but most of the players this year realized that the only way to win was to play together.”

Sophomore defense Brian Park agreed.

“At the beginning no one really knew each other very well, but [as the season progressed] we pulled it together,” Park said. “Just by playing together and getting to know each other better, we were able to improve our playing on the field.”

 The additions of coaches Bill Kurz and Luke Langon also benefited the team by their focus on players’ specific skill sets, such as midfield and attack or defense.

“This year we had specific coaches for each position, so that really helped development for each position,” Capek said.

Capek also thought seniors Eric Van Noorden and Nic Doyen provided support as team captains.

“[Van Noorden and Doyen] took charge in leadership. They ran the drills, and when the coaches weren’t available, they started practice,” Capek said. “They really stepped up to be team players [as well as] team captains.”

In addition to the team captains, team players also stepped up to the plate. Van Noorden, Cox and junior attack Pablo Parker were awarded first Team All-League; Capek, Doyen, Park and sophomore goal Holden Peake were awarded second Team All-League, and Van Noorden, Capek and Cox were elected to play in the All-Star game. Parker also  tied the team’s record for 49 goals in a season.

Despite the team’s victories, players still see room for improvement.

Cox attributes the initial loss against Carlmont 12-7 and losses against Los Altos 10-5 on April 5 and Los Gatos 17-3 on April 28 to a lack of depth in the team’s positions.

“Sometimes we had trouble scoring, and sometimes the defense would have to keep us in the game until our offense started scoring,” Cox said. “We would [also] get tired near the end of games, and that would hurt us.”

Capek also believes more depth in positions is needed.

“We only had the starters, and there weren’t really that many people behind them,” Capek said.

However, Capek sees the program improving every year.     

“Next season, I hope we make it into the playoffs and win because we have a good enough team where we can get to that level,” he said.