With just four starters returning and a challenging early-season schedule, the beginning of the season could be difficult for the Pittston Area girls lacrosse team, but second-year coach Nicole Tieso is hopeful of improvement along the way.
“Our general expectation for this season is to improve,” Tieso said. “We are looking to not only improve from last year, but also we want to improve from game to game during the season.”
The Lady Patriots went 1-12 a year ago and placed last in the five-team Division 1.
With the continued growth of girls lacrosse in the Wyoming Valley Conference – Abington Heights and Hazleton Area are the new programs this season – WVC opponents face each other once each in an 11-game schedule and they will no longer be separated by division. Pittston Area will no longer have to play two games each against more-established programs and will add games with the newer opponents.
Tieso hopes improvement can still be seen in the games against the conference’s top teams.
“As the season goes on, we look to be more and more competitive with the more-established teams in the WVC,” she said.
Senior defender Milena Adams, junior midfielder/attackers Nina Cirelli and Bailey Jordan and sophomore goalie Brooklyn Pedana are the returning starters trying to lead that process.
“All of our returning players have been working extremely hard during the offseason to improve their skills, and the new players have been learning the game very quickly as well,” Tieso said.
Kayla Hogan, who plays midfield and defense, is the only other senior. She joins junior defender Makenzie Koonrad and sophomore attacks Julia Emmert and Kristen Walters as the experienced reserves from last year’s team.
“Our seniors and returning players have been leading by example and have been instrumental in helping our new players learn and develop their game,” Tieso said.
