By Kevin Pichinte

Contributing Writer

Mid-fielder varsity lacrosse player, Nick Heredia strides across the field at with such precision while cradling the ball that makes him, a key player when it comes to helping the defense and offense.

Heredia, No.9, is a senior at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School whose decision to play lacrosse was through a friend’s suggestion.

“The reason I made the choice to play lacrosse this year was because my friend told me that lacrosse was just like my all time favorite sport hockey” Heredia said.

The lacrosse team at Birmingham Community Charter High School has been without a coach for three years so they haven’t had the easiest of starts.

No with Bryan Mandell, the new head coach, and Tom Wooge, the assistant coach, the Patriots hope to have a better season than their previous year, which ended with a record of 6-7.

Their kickoff game was on Feb. 28, against Valley Academy of Arts And Science (VAAS). The team was feeling anxious but prepared.

“The team has more motivation,” said Wooge said. “And we will be better as a team than last year.”

The players now have more knowledge of the game due to the new coaches and feel as though they have a good chance this season, especially since they have home field advantage for their first game.

“Also With actually having coaches, the team will be better because they will have us to coach them,” Wooge said. “But with the lack of inexperienced players, we will have to practice more and teach the new players how to play lacrosse.”

“We are really working hard when we practice,” Heredia said. “The strategies we are using are making sure to know what to do when we have the ball or have an opportunity.”

The coaches are eager and willing to teach the newcomers the craft of lacrosse there will be no stopping them this season.

“As a team we are more disciplined because we have a coach that knows what they are doing and are teaching us the sport,” Heredia said. “And I feel pretty good about our season I feel like we are going to do well.”