The boys lacrosse team played a tough schedule and battled hard throughout their season, ending with a 1-12 record.
The boys played hard against The Gunnery School on Wednesday, May 2, but fell short of a win with a score of 10-2. The team faced a tough loss to Suffield Academy on Wednesday, May 5 with a score of 16-4.
The team then turned their attention to a home game against Hopkins School on Saturday, May 12. The boys battled hard but unfortunately couldn’t come up with a win. During their last game, which was also Senior Day, the boys played Wilbraham and Monson Academy. They battled hard throughout the game but sadly fell short with a score of 13-3.Head
Coach Mark Conklin said that despite only winning one game, the players have taken strides toward improving the culture and playing for each other instead of themselves. He said that the team is very young and has a bright future ahead of them. “I am seeing young guys gain the confidence needed to compete,” he said.
Defender Co-captain David Arcesi said that the team got along very well together. He said that a goal was to have fun and improve. He said that one of the team’s strength was having sophomore Owen Jakacky in goal. “This season is less frustrating, since we got Owen in goal,” he said.
Coach Conklin said that one of the team’s strengths was their defense and how the players were able to have fun during difficult times. “The guys look forward to practice because it is fun,” Coach Conklin said. “They build the right culture.”
The team had their toughest stretch of the season over these last couple of weeks. The outcomes of the games were not favorable, but different players contributed in meaningful ways. The younger players scored goals and the team improved through these tough times.Coach Conklin said that the goal for the end of the season was to leave the games knowing that the team put their best product in the field. He said that the goal was to play four quarters of the best lacrosse the team has ever played. “We haven’t played a complete game to the best of our ability,” Coach Conklin said.
The team this year was young and had many new faces, but with the young squad each game brings more hope and excitement for the future. “If we had young voices on last year’s team, we would have had more success,” Coach Conklin said.
Arcesi said that the team needs to work on their passing and catching, even though it improved throughout the season. “We need to work on our lacrosse skills,” Arcesi said. “We also need to work on keeping tempers low.”
The boys lacrosse team does not have the record they were hoping for this season, but they kept their heads up high throughout the difficult times. They battled through every game and got better as the season went on. This young, hopeful team improved the culture of boys lacrosse at KO, and the team remains optimistic about their future.
