As the KO boys’ lacrosse season progresses, the team has recovered from a midseason coaching change and the loss of many players from last season. The captains—junior attack Jason Mathews, junior defense Dalton Smith, and senior attack Christian Gingeleski—have helped weather the storm and maintain chemistry in the locker room.
While the team has yet to record their first win, they have made progress in their practices, which are described as rooted in fundamentals, but still very competitive, Gingeleski said. This atmosphere has been fostered by the leadership of the aforementioned captains. Early in the season, a coaching change was required due to a tumultuous opening, with a new staff. The struggles to start the year were evident, and Gingeleski admitted that it was a difficult start to the season.
After the team parted ways with their head coach, Josh Shafer took the position and has been taking care of the added responsibilities that come with being the head coach. “It’s a big ask to have someone who wasn’t expecting to have to step up, to fill that role,” Mathews said. “He has the whole locker room behind him.”
As for stand-out players, there have been a number on the roster this year whom Matthews recognized. Smith has played face-off for the team this season and excelled at that position. Gingeleski has played elite defense for the Wyverns so far. Finally, long pole, freshman Ernesto Ballesteros has stepped up, bringing a great work ethic to the early part of the season.
The team was looking forward to the game against Marianapolis, in which they suffered a difficult 6-4 loss on April 9. While this was not the outcome the team was hoping for, they put up a great effort, and Mathews felt as though this effort demonstrated progress in the right direction.
Unfortunately, since the game on April 9, the Wyverns have taken on some difficult opponents in the King School and Cheshire Academy. They unfortunately dropped both of these games, but fought until the final whistle in both of them.
Additionally, the team is packed with young players, showing room to improve moving forward and potential for a bright future for the KO lacrosse program. It is widely agreed that the team is continuously improving this season. “Every game is a step in the right direction,” Mathews said. The entire KO community looks forward to watching the rest of the lacrosse season and will be supporting the Wyverns in their upcoming games.
