Lacrosse might be fast-paced and intense on the field, but there’s much more going on behind the scenes — where dedication, growth, and team spirit shape the heart of the game. From the eyes of the coach to the experiences of team captains, lacrosse brings so much to the table.
For Coach Rahming, the most rewarding part of coaching boys lacrosse isn’t just the wins, but it’s the growth. “My favorite thing about teaching lacrosse is watching the student-athletes develop,” she said. “Many of our players are new to the sport. Seeing them improve and have fun while becoming better players is definitely the best part.”
During practice, Coach Rahming emphasizes the fundamentals — communication and stick handling-skills essential for passing, catching, and controlling the game. But it’s not just physical ability that she tracks throughout the season. “We evaluate performance by looking at their improvement,” she explained. “But even more importantly, we watch how they are as teammates—like showing selfless play on the field.”
Her coaching philosophy is grounded in balance, sharing,“They are not just athletes; they are student-athletes. I want them to stay eligible to play by going to all classes and taking school seriously. The ‘student’ part matters too. They have to represent themselves and the school.”
Many of the players on the boys lacrosse team find pride and passion in various parts of the sport.
Although a football player at heart, Gilbert Flecha Jr. found love for lacrosse. “I started playing because of the intensity of the sport. It was something new as I am a football player and I wanted to give it a try,” he shared.
Flecha Jr. stays motivated because he knows that his team relies on him and he doesn’t ever want to let them down. Even though he’s new to the sport, looking back he found pride in his first goal. “My most memorable moment would probably be my first goal because this is my first year and I have never scored before. So that was a really memorable moment for me,” he reflected.
Aiden Damico got into the sport because of phys. ed. teacher Mr. C. Despite being a student-athlete, he finds ways to keep himself locked in. “I stay motivated during tough practices and games by remembering that all our hard work will pay off-we just have to trust and rely on each other,” he said.
But, his favorite part of being on the team is seeing how far they have come. “The most memorable moments for me are watching how far we’ve come as a team,” he said. “Seeing people who had never even touched a stick become our top scorers and defenders is amazing.”
Ayaan Naumai shared that he stepped into lacrosse thanks to his brother, “My brother had spare gear, so I thought I would be cool to try out the sport.” Despite enjoying playing, it’s been a long road on the team. Freshmen year, he said, was a memorable time.
“We lost all of our games, but we still showed up. I remember our coach made a joke one day, and we all just laughed,” he reminisced. “Even though we were losing, we had fun.”
For Captain Benjamin Tsai, lacrosse is not just a team for him in high school. “I stay motivated by thinking about how good I have to be to play in college,” he shared. “Winning a championship also keeps me going.”
He also said that the skills are the most important. “Even if you’re bad at first, being consistent and motivated can get you a long way.”
It’s clear that boys lacrosse is more than just a team, but a journey for all of the student-athletes that play together on the field. Under Coach Rahming, these players are sure to learn more than just skills for the game, but also in life. For those interested, the team is fundraising for new gear via GoFundMe.
