Under the bright stadium lights beaming down on the field, the lacrosse team progresses through their season ranking third in the state. The seniors strive for their teammates to reach their desire of winning the state championship in the last and final lacrosse season of their careers.
The 12 seniors lead the team through obstacles along the road. In particular, three of the seniors, Brendan Kurtin, Brady Allen, and Austin Krueger, push their teammates to work hard in practice as the season starts to close for their final senior season.
Not only does being a senior on the team play a big role in the team’s success but so does being a captain. Captains keep and bring the team together during tough times. They keep positive attitudes and maintain a growth mindset.
It is Krueger’s second year as the team captain and he says, “Being a captain holds a lot more weight as a teammate and leader of the team.” Krueger has always had a passion for lacrosse since a young age and he hasn’t lost any passion since. Especially playing his last season of lacrosse in his career, he is not going to take it for granted.
Krueger claims they have key ways to stay motivated and positive throughout the tough games and season. “We stay motivated throughout the games with a positive attitude. In past years we have had many players, including myself who motivate through emotion and aggression. We took a different approach this year and instead are trying to be positive. It is significantly different and beneficial to the team culture,” Krueger said. Although no season is perfect, all the team can do is keep a positive attitude and outlook on what happens in practices and games that may be an obstacle in their road to the state championship. They have to adapt throughout the season before they can reach their goals.
He is well aware of this being his last season and mentions it has been extremely emotional for him. “I have taken it as my mission to support the next generation of players on hhs lax. My goal this season is to prepare them for being the seniors and make sure they are ready to run their new team,” Krueger says.
Season rankings have come out for high school boys lacrosse teams, and Homestead was placed in the third spot. Kurtin is aware their job is not finished quite yet. Being a senior on the team will raise the stakes and expectations for the season. Although they aren’t fully where they want to be, they will continue to work past hardships and get to where they deserve and desire to be.
Kurtin says, “It feels great. I think we still have the potential to reach the number one spot if we keep playing our kind of lacrosse and keep getting better as the season goes on.” Yet it feels accomplished, he knows the team has much more to come.
Along with them being ranked third in the state, Kurtin shared the role teamwork plays in their success. “It plays a massive role in our success. Compared to other teams in the state we don’t have many players that play lacrosse year-round, but the hard work and fun times we do have as a team during the season is what drives our success,” Kurtin says.
While this is the last season for the 12 seniors, Allen makes it clear that this season is different. “This season has been special since this is my last year with the people I’ve been playing with for years,” Allen said. The bittersweet feeling is hitting as they continue to push their abilities as they embark on their journey to the state championship.
Not only does the lacrosse team have chemistry on the field but also off the field. “Our team maintains good chemistry from taking trips to Culver’s before every game,” Allen says. Having team chemistry on and off the field is key.
Being in a sport with people that mean a lot to you can impact the love you have for it. Allowing people to enjoy every moment whether it’s good or bad, just because you are surrounded by people you love.
