Girls’ varsity lacrosse grows closer together in times of shifting leadership
For many teams in the athletic program, a strong coach is critical for the success and growth of players. Within the Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse team at Newbury Park, this role has been a constantly shifting one since the 2022 school year. In the past four years, the 2026 season seniors have welcomed a new coach every season, setting them up to form habits and skills based on independence and personal growth.
Eloise Cardenas, a senior on varsity lacrosse, has been playing since seventh grade. Cardenas believes that a coach is more than just a mentor and should form relationships with players that set up a professional atmosphere. “Some things that I value in a coach are definitely respect and being able to connect with your coach, not just on a lacrosse level, but also on a respect level,” Cardenas said.
Another senior on the team, Maya Pantoja, has also been playing for most of her childhood and has found a sense of independence that has helped her through many shifts in her team dynamic. “We find ways to coach ourselves, so that we have developed our own little set of skills,” Pantoja said. These skills have set Pantoja up to be a well-rounded and self-sufficient player, allowing her and her teammates to be steady sources of mentorship to incoming players.
Elliana Dorsi, senior, is in her tenth year of playing lacrosse and has been a guiding member of the team to her younger teammates. Dorsi received similar guidance from previous seniors in her earlier years and has found herself doing the same in the 2025 season. “Being a senior kind of helps build a perspective on the underclassmen to help them out, making sure they feel comfortable as well,” Dorsi said. Taking on these positions of leadership has helped many of the senior players feel more confident in their skills, as giving advice and guidance to younger players is often one of the best forms of practice. “That’s really important, just going outside and learning how to catch and throw on your own time, so that you’re prepared for a game,” Dorsi said.
The team this year has found themselves growing a lot closer to each other as teammates in the midst of another shift in their dynamic. While the introduction of a new coach can bring positive change to a team, there can be little progress without a strong bond already established between players. “Personally, I think that in my freshman year, I was really concerned with what I was doing, and therefore, didn’t play as a team. But now that I’m a senior, I know the girls that I know that I can rely on their skills and not just mine, and I feel like that connects us more as a team,” Cardenas said.
