The Shaker girls lacrosse team is still on course for another shot at the Section II, Class A title, but not before enduring a coaching change.
Head coach Carrie Britt and assistant coach Chad Staro resigned April 25 after the Blue Bison had gotten off to a 8-1 start. Junior varsity coach Leslie Carroll has moved up and has guided Shaker to a 2-1 record since then.
We’re all trying to make it a positive experience, said Carroll following Friday’s 16-3 Suburban Council victory over crosstown rival Colonie. `It doesn’t seem to be an issue.`
`It was obviously a difficult thing for her and ` especially in the middle of the season ` for us,` said Shaker athletic director David Herman. `We were able to find some coaches (to fill in). We were fortunate to have those people to step in.`
Britt offered no specific comment as to her reasons why she resigned. `I resigned for personal reasons, and I think that Leslie Carroll is a fine coach,` she said.
`Carrie’s record speaks for itself,` said Herman. `Over her seven years coaching the program, she built it up to a successful level, and she worked hard to build up the youth programs in the community.`
Carroll said the adjustment to coaching at the varsity level was a quick one for her.
`To be honest, I’ve coached every single girl on this team except for two,` said Carroll. `So, this has been a pretty smooth transition.`
Shaker (10-2 league, 10-2 overall) didn’t look like it had skipped a beat when it played Colonie Friday. The Blue Bison scored the first seven goals and never looked back in beating the Garnet Raiders in their only regular season meeting.
`Coming into a team that was already (8-1), they were already doing what they needed to do,` said Carroll. `I think we just have to clean up our play a little bit.`
Lexi Dalcol and Caroline Rehfuss each recorded hat tricks to lead a balanced Shaker offense. Kat Thomas contributed two goals and two assists, while Eden Alexanian and Adrianne Devine each added two goals and an assist.
Lexi Brannigan, Maria Green and Laureen Kross tallied for Colonie (4-8, 6-8), which has been making strides under first-year coach Mary Lou Vosburgh.
`When you’re young and you have young kids who are just learning the game, you have to focus on the little things like picking up ground balls and connecting passes,` said Vosburgh of her team, which features 13 underclassmen.
Colonie rebounded from its loss to Shaker with an impressive 12-1 non-league victory over Johnstown Saturday.
Rachel Scofield scored three goals and added an assist, and Sara Sweeney contributed a hat trick for Colonie.
Kristin Wilson’s second half goal for Johnstown broke up the Garnet Raiders’ shutout bid.
Entering Monday’s game at Bethlehem, Shaker had three Suburban Council games left in the regular season. The Blue Bison visit Columbia Wednesday before hosting Saratoga Friday.
After hosting Ballston Spa Monday, Colonie wraps up its regular season Wednesday against Niskayuna.“