by Rob Klemko

Natalie Gaieski says the selfish attitudes and individual feuds that dragged Marriotts Ridge High girls' lacrosse team to an underachieving 9-7 showing last season are over. The third-year Mustangs' coach believes that last year’s second-round playoff loss to Pikesville was a premature end, and her team is poised to prove her right.

“This year I feel that were playing a lot better as a team,” Gaieski said. Everybody is fighting, I don’t know who to start… it’s a really good problem. I feel like the attitude is awesome.”

Senior second team all-county defender Cory Johnson, who will play at Old Dominion University next season, will be charged with providing leadership on a team that likely will start three freshman in the first game of the season.

“We’re going to try to have a high pressure defense this season… this year we have a defense that communicates,” Gaieski said. “It’s been a positive to have kids here that I’ve worked with for three years.”

The girls' program has done well to build itself into a competitive factor in Howard County, due in part to the community’s commitment to youth lacrosse.

“We have a great club program in the are, the girls have a lot of experience coming into our program," said Gaieski, whose school hosts the Mustang Tournament Saturday at 9:30 a.m.. "Each year, we have freshmen that have walked into the program and have made a huge impact.”

Marriotts Ridge Mustangs girls' lacrosse, at a glance:
 
Coach: Natalie Gaieski

2007 record: 9-7

Top returning players: Cory Johnson, Sr., defense; Tory Binder,  Sr., attack; Nicole Lacey, Jr.