Spring has sprung, meaning a number of Mission Bay High athletic teams are busy as usual.
On the girls’ lacrosse scene, the Bucs headed into play this week with a record of 3-2, including a second-place finish at the Valley Center Tourney.
Head coach Grant Kroeger noted his team is led by co-captains Kylie Kroeger (junior midfielder, will play at Arizona State), Lindsey Price (junior attack/midfield), Ludmila Reynal (junior midfielder).
Other key members include sophomore midfielder Shelby Moore, sophomore defender Brielle Sorice and junior defender Emery Reyna.
Some rookies showing great promise, according to Kroeger, include senior Katie Baker, sophomore Jasmine Davis, junior Lea Reyes, and sophomore Naomy Espinosa.
“Mission Bay lacrosse is entering its third season,” Kroeger noted. “The returning players have come out strong this year; obviously having practiced in the off-season, they have impressed me with their immediate leadership. “We have 11 new players on the team – girls that have never picked up a stick. It’s always fun to see the amazing amount of growth the girls achieve throughout the season. My expectations are always high and the girls never cease to exceed them.”
On the boys’ lacrosse side, head coach Justin Aefsky’s team was still looking for its first win of the season heading into action this week.
The Bucs are led by juniors Grant Sawyer (defense), Logan Turbes (goalie), and Evan Martinez (midfield).
“We hope to show improvement in fundamental skills/learning lacrosse basics, which should translate to us being more competitive in games. We won zero games the first year of existence and two games last season (our second),” Aefsky commented.
As Aefsky also pointed out, the program is entirely self-funded – the San Diego Unified School District does not fund lacrosse at all – more than $10K a year for a boys’ lacrosse team. “That is on the low side since we were able to secure $20K plus of donated gear and one-time grants and such the past three years,” Aefsky added. “There is not funding for additional coaches, or a JV program. Without a JV program or middle school feeder program, the prospect for growing the high school varsity program will continue to be hindered.”