These words come to mind when one pictures the University City girls lacrosse team this spring: enthusiastic, doggedly determined, hard-working, fun-loving.
Second-year coach Lizzy Des Enfants (“of the infants”) definitely directs the high-decibel friendliness, addressing players and visitors alike by first name, greeting them with a smile, and turning it into a motivator for the skills she wants to continue to build in her young players — with child-like enjoyment.
Lillian Haley, the Centurions’ goalkeeper also for the second year, has already benefitted from Des Enfants’ can-do approach: “My coach offered me the spot (last year) for a couple of games, but then I fell in love with the position, and ever since I have been pushing myself to be better.”
Says Coach Lizzy of her senior goalie: “Lillian has great hand-eye coordination and a quick reaction time. She is also very vocal and demanding in goal (in directing the defenders in front of her).”
Grace Doolittle, another returner from last year’s undefeated Eastern League champs, was the league MVP with the highest scoring record. Brooke Hudson also helps lead the Cent offense with a “high lacrosse IQ”, according to her coach.
Plus shout-outs go to Addi Stoppenhaggen and Emilia Ghandour for their leadership and commitment to the team.
“Addi and Emilia are two offensive powerhouses,” says Des Enfants. “Besides scoring goals and helping create our motion offense, they are amazing leaders off the field.”
Hudson, an attacking player and one of five captains selected by the coach, is interested in studying sports psychology and pursuing further studies in college in abnormal psychology and criminology. “Lacrosse is an offensive sport and is very fast-paced,” explains the senior. “There is a lot of communication. There are many types of players on the offense, including cutter, feeder, and driver. We try to open lanes to score.”
She wants to help support teammates as far as mental health and being a safe person to come to during personal challenges.
Mia Stewart, a new senior to the squad, listened to Des Enfants, who is also her field hockey coach in the fall, and decided to try lacrosse out. She is enjoying learning new skills from teammates as well as staff.
“In my first few games, I played attack and midfielder,” says Stewart. “Since I’m new, I’m trying different positions and still learning the game. It has been fun so far, and I’m excited about the season.”
Says Des Enfants, in her follow-up year as new head coach, “We’ve added a JV team this year, which is a huge win for our program.” They’ve updated things with new uniforms and assistants. “About 50 percent of our team are returners,” she said.
An opposing coach, Chuck Kaczmarek from San Diego Academy, who has coached lacrosse for 40 years, complimented the Cents on their willingness to fight and not give up. During an early JV game, he pointed out that, despite SDA’s leading by 11 goals, the UC players, who were beginners, still were not giving up and were being relentless.
