The Lady Knights senior captains have appreciated their final season with their new head coach, even though their record looks the same as last season.

Maggie Donnellan replaced Katelyn Calder intending to improve last year’s record of 4-10-2. Even though the team will lose 9 seniors after this season, Coach Donnellan looks to continue moving the Lady Knights in the right direction.

“What I love most is her positivity and ability to connect with us,” Senior Captain Maya Hicks said. “Although she has only been our coach for a couple of months, she has already made deep connections with not just me, but all of my teammates.”

Having a strong connection on the field increases the chances of winning drastically. A weak bond could lead to frustration between the players.

“Coach Donnellan is amazing, I really like how she handles our team, emotions, and her coaching style,” Senior Captain Maya Barrett said. “Our practices are definitely more intense and we do really fun and beneficial drills.”

Both Maya Barrett and Maya Hicks started as juniors last year and now play big roles on their team at defender and forward.

  “We focus a lot on possession during practice, and you can tell it is translating onto the field,” Maya Hicks said. “We have won our games through our ability to possess the ball and move it across the field.”

Possession completely changes the outcome of a game and playing as a team rather than individuals, and focusing on controlling possession could be the key to the Knights’ success this season.

“We find success in the games when we play for each other and have great intensity,” Junior Ellie Crook said. “Coach always brings a lot of energy and fun to the games and that’s why it has been such a fun season.”

A coach who knows the balance between having fun and getting work done proves to be vital to the team. It strengthens the team bond, separating the good coaches from the great.

“The underclassmen are very lucky to have her as a coach the next few years and I am excited to watch the program develop,” Maya Hicks said.  “I love our new coach and I know many other players on our team would agree.”