The Division 1 CIF defending champion Coronado High girls lacrosse team has picked up right where it left off from last year – getting six wins to start the season.
The Islanders had an impressive playoff run in 2022, earning themselves the No. 1 seed before taking down Carlsbad, La Jolla Country Day, and Bishop’s to come out on top of the Division 1 championship bracket.
Since those victories during their dominant playoff stretch, the Islanders have refused to take their foot off the gas pedal.
Carlson leads revamped team
Led by fourth year head coach Caroline Carlson, the revamped team went undefeated through the month of March — finally taking their first loss on April 3.
According to Carlson, the Islanders lost a couple key players from last season’s championship squad.
However a combination of reliable returning players, and an exciting young core has kept the team near the top of the San Diego rankings.
“We lost a few impact players from last year, but that only made room for others to come in and produce.”
-Coronado High girls lacrosse coach Caroline Carlson.
“We lost a few impact players from last year, but that only made room for others to come in and produce,” Carlson said. “We have strong starters and a strong bench that have consistently come in and made an impact in games.”
No looking back
As exciting as last year’s team was, Carlson and the 2023 squad aren’t interested in looking back on the successes of the prior season.
“We’re not focused on the past, only the opportunities that lie ahead. We’re a new team with a fresh mentality, and I’m excited to see how we compete through the remainder of the season,” Carlson said.
The “take no prisoners” mentality that Carlson’s squad has played with this season has served them well.
Statement wins
The Islanders have already collected two statement wins against other top teams in San Diego County with victories over San Marcos and Torrey Pines.
Defeating two Open Division teams wasn’t any walk in the park for the Islanders.
Both games were decided by just one point, and the victory against San Marcos came in brutal, rainy conditions.
“I think when we beat those strong teams like San Marcos and Torrey Pines, it created more excitement and instilled more confidence in the girls as the middle part of the season nears,” Carlson said.
According to Carlson, those wins were pivotal in the early part of the season but now her girls understand the importance of not becoming complacent.
Tough matchups coming
There are plenty of tough matchups looming in the future, and being in one of the more talented leagues in San Diego will make for some exciting games.
Carlson mentioned that the beauty of this team is that there isn’t just one girl who should receive all the credit for the Islanders’ hot start.
The roster—from top to bottom—has equally contributed during the strong run to start the season.
She named seniors Emma Fabiszak and Marianna Dick as the team’s main leaders, and their defensive presence has been a major factor in the Islanders’ ability to secure wins.
A slew of juniors and sophomores have filled the spots that last year’s key players relinquished.
Freshmen playing key roles
According to Carlson, despite the efforts of the upperclassmen, it’s been the freshmen who have arguably played the most important role through the first month of the season.
“The key difference for us this year is our freshmen class. They are hard working, disciplined, and own the field no matter who they’re playing,” said Carlson.
The freshmen core that the Islanders have seen make an immediate impact consists of five girls who start, according to Carlson.
Carlson speaks highly of her team, and the strides her squad has made since March when the season began.
“We have to keep winning and we have to keep working hard each day in order to earn those wins.”
-Carlson
“The season isn’t over; we have to keep winning and we have to keep working hard each day in order to earn those wins,” said Carlson.
The remaining months will be anything but easy for Carlson and her girls, but she remains confident in the abilities and mindset that her team plays.
“We’re playing faster, we’re playing smarter, and we’re more disciplined each game. We’re prepared and excited for the challenge,” she said.
