It's an exciting time for Cathedral Catholic High School's women's lacrosse team as they gear up for the upcoming season. With a talented roster of returning players and promising recruits, the team looks poised to make an impact in both their league and region. To get a sneak peek into what we can expect from the Dons this year, we caught up with Coach Sam Farrell to get his thoughts on the team's new additions, leadership, chemistry, and more.
First and foremost, Coach Farrell is excited about the potential impact of the new players on the team. With a junior and senior committed to prestigious college programs, as well as some standout underclassmen, there's a lot of talent and potential to look forward to. Junior goalkeeper Lyla Palacek is one of the top players to watch out for this season.
Committed to the University of Denver, Palacek is widely regarded as one of the best goalies in Southern California. Her leadership on and off the field, as well as her ability to make game-changing saves, will be crucial for the team's success. Another player to watch out for is sophomore attacker/midfielder Lily Raiszadeh. As a freshman last year, Raiszadeh was dominant on both the draw and in attack.
With another year of experience under her belt, she is expected to be a key player for the team. The Dons also have a strong defensive duo in senior Emma Garro and junior Talia Sun. Garro, who is committed to Loyola, is a defensive leader for the team and plays a vital role in their clearing game. Sun, committed to the University of California, is a strong 1 v 1 defender who often marks up on the opponents' top threats.
And finally, junior AK Miller, who was sidelined last season due to an ACL injury, is back stronger than ever and looking to make an impact on the midfield. When it comes to choosing team captains, Coach Farrell looks for players who possess certain qualities on and off the field. These qualities include leadership, hard work, communication, and the ability to inspire their teammates to be better both on and off the field.
Last season's captain, Emma Garro, is expected to continue in this role, and the remaining captains will be voted in by their teammates. Team chemistry and camaraderie are crucial for any successful team, and Coach Farrell understands this. To foster a strong bond among the players, the team has various team bonding activities planned, such as team dinners and beach days.
These activities not only help build relationships between the players but also contribute to a positive and cohesive team dynamic. Motivating players to push themselves to their full potential is also a key aspect of Coach Farrell's coaching philosophy. One of the strategies used to achieve this is through team bonding activities, as mentioned earlier.
Additionally, Coach Farrell believes in emphasizing team unity and playing for each other. This creates a sense of responsibility and accountability among the players, motivating them to give their best effort on the field. As with any team, some challenges need to be overcome to achieve success. For the Dons, one of the biggest challenges this season will be their tough schedule.
Facing strong opponents such as Torrey Pines, Coronado, Santa Margarita, and other out-of-region teams, the team will need to bring their A-game to every match. However, Coach Farrell believes that this challenging schedule will only help the team grow and improve as the season progresses. When it comes to Coach Farrell's coaching style, he aims to focus on the team as a whole and not just individuals.
This means creating a cohesive unit that plays for each other and works together towards a common goal. While the team's schedule may differ from previous seasons, the core values and philosophy remain the same. In conclusion, the Cathedral Catholic High School women's lacrosse team is gearing up for an exciting season.
With a strong roster of experienced players, promising recruits, and a dedicated coaching staff, the team is well-equipped to take on the challenges that lie ahead. While the ultimate goal is to win games, the emphasis on team unity, hard work, and leadership both on and off the field is what truly sets this team apart.
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