The Girl’s Lacrosse team at Cinnaminson High School endured a tough season in 2014, posting a 5-12 record. This came just one season after a 12-5 mark in 2013.
Head coach Laura Curran is preaching that focus plays a major role in the success of a team. Curran said that the 2014 team lost focus, especially during an early-season losing streak.
Things have already felt different in 2015.
This will be the fourth season at the helm for Curran, who has been with the program for seven years. She believes this team is headed in the right direction in 2015.
“Remaining focused the entire season is key. It gets very easy to go into a lull in the middle of April. This year, Moorestown is no longer in our division. So, the division championship is up for grabs. This will be the first year in at least 15 years that Moorestown will not win the division,” Curran said.
Curran wants her players to focus on a division title for the first time instead of just a good playoff seed in 2015.
The Pirates boast a lot of young talent this year. These players will be relied on after having strong freshman seasons.
With Moorestown no longer in the division, the Pirates will look towards Holy Cross and Rancocas Valley as their toughest opponents this season. R.V. finished second in the division in 2014.
“I have what I feel like is a brand new team this year. I have girls stepping up that did not step up last year. I am going to be able to rely on many girls this year instead of just one or two like last year.”
The 2014 squad graduated 9 seniors, but the 2015 squad also boasts 9 seniors.
“This is my seventh year coaching, but fourth year coaching varsity and every year the seniors are different. They lead in different ways and they have different skill levels. They are going to play a huge part in our success this year,” Curran said.
Curran is thrilled to have a deep team this year.
“It’s not just going to be one or two girls. It’s definitely going to be a team effort. We are definitely more balanced this year than in previous years. I can really go deep into the bench this year and feel confident putting substitutes in.”
Curran spoke of the balance within the program this year, noting that it is the first time in her coaching career that she has been able to pull players from all grades to help at the varsity level.
“I don’t have a set varsity team. Because I only have 42 girls in the program, the four coaches are constantly talking and we make changes throughout the entire season. So, somebody that maybe has played JV all through April and they’re just killing it out there, they are definitely going to get some varsity time.”
The Pirates open their regular season schedule on April 1 against the Lancers at Holy Cross. Game time is slated for 3:45.
