Junior Leah Fuchs scored three goals Wednesday.
All but five of Hammond's players were coached by Lindsay DeVault last season.
By Jonah Schuman
Although Wednesday marked Lindsay DeVault's first regular season game as head coach of Hammond's girls lacrosse team, it was clear three years as the junior varsity coach gave her plenty of time to develop a rapport with her players.
On the back of three goals from junior Leah Fuchs, the Golden Bears opened their season by beating the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference’s St. Mary's Ryken, 10-3.
“I'm a junior, so I have a lot more of a connection with [DeVault],” Fuchs said. “We know how she coaches and she knows how we play. We can work off of one another and feed off each other.”
All but five of the players on the roster were coached by DeVault last year on the JV squad, and she thinks the chemistry gives the team a unique advantage.
“It's nice to see them grow and be players that they are now, rather than they were on JV,” DeVault said. “And, they're all good friends. I think that helps.”
That's not to say she didn't feel the pressure of her first game as the varsity coach.
“I know the high expectations,” DeVault said. “I was a little bit nervous. I just wanted to make sure we kept up with what the kids, parents and school expected.”
She achieved that and more in the opening half alone. Fuchs opened the scoring two minutes and 14 seconds into the game when the St. Mary's (0-2) defense left her open in front of the net. She threw it past goaltender Danielle Guy for what would be the first of eight goals in the half.
Golden Bears goaltender Dana Mazzarella also started her season on a positive note, making 13 saves and holding St. Mary's scoreless until 6:50 into the second half.
“Dana stepped up big,” Devalt said. “She came out psyched today. She was a little bit nervous before the game, but when she's on she is on. She is one of the captains and she did her part today.”
Kim Humpert, Alyssa Lash and Chelsea Watkins all scored twice for the Golden Bears in the win. Despite the big win, both DeValt and the players acknowledged that there are improvements to be made if they expect to improve on last season, in which the Golden Bears made it to the second round of the playoffs.
“We have a really young team,” Fuchs said. “The other teams we play in the county are going to be more of a struggle. We just have to pick it up and get these young girls working. I'm excited for the season.”