Boys and Girls Lacrosse Season Startoff

“People should know that as long as you keep your mind in the game, success is waiting for you,” says senior Captain Liam Hickey. “I started playing lacrosse in third grade and kept playing because I fell in love with how fast the game moved and how fun it was to get out with my friends…I look up to my best bud, Dane, I think he’s been a great peer and mentor to me as we’ve grown up, and I’m really proud of the way we have both grown as we’ve gotten older.”

The boys lacrosse team had its first game against Viewpoint on Feb. 24, winning 11-4. The Dons had their second game of the season and first home game against Agoura on March 3, resulting in a 12-2 victory.

Alongside Hickey, his Co-Captain Dane Polchin added, “My brother played lacrosse, I started in second grade. I didn’t really like any other sports at the time, and I thought it looked cool, so I kept it up.” When asked about his mentor on the team, Polchin replied, “Someone I look up to on the team is Mason Bosma…he’s really good at long pole, and he’s great on ground balls, which is something I’m trying to improve.” Overall, Polchin believes that “the most important thing about working together as a team is understanding each other and knowing what they’re going to do and playing around that. There’s nothing better than giving your best effort because even if you get tired really fast, it’s always going to be worth it.” 

Coach John Keogh says, “We have improved stick skills compared to last year, lacrosse IQ, and we’re doing a better job at taking care of the ball. We’ve been playing more offense than defense lately so our players are a lot more rested meaning they can play a little harder.” When asked what game he is most excited for, Keogh replied, “obviously every game is important but Dos Pueblos (DP) is going to be a tough one for sure…they have been League Champions for the last three years so that’s one circle on our calendar for sure.” 

While the boys entered their third game of the season, the Dons girls’ team eagerly awaited their turn. The girls’ team had their first game on March 5 against Birmingham, winning 11-5.

Junior captain Nina Abraham says, “I started playing my freshman year. I had played a bit in eighth grade and picked it up again. My sister had played all throughout high school, and we got to play together my freshman year and her senior year.” When asked who she looked up to on the team, Abraham responded, “My old teammate, Kata, who graduated last year, is my inspiration. She was really good and kept us all motivated.” In conclusion, Abraham shared that “communication on the field is definitely the most important part of the game for me, it helps us all look out for each other.” 

Abraham’s fellow captain and this edition’s Athlete of the Month Liliana Aguilar, said, “I found lacrosse my freshman year, and I had some of my family members who had played, and I wanted to try something new out. My co-captain, Nina, is definitely someone I look up to on the team; she’s very hardworking and determined.” When asked about her role as a captain, Aguilar explained that, “[she] feels more pressure to play better as a captain, but more so having a collective team and trying to better everyone else.” 

Make sure to go out and support the boys and girls lacrosse teams! Both go up against Dos Pueblos on March 17, boys play at home, and girls play away.