The varsity lacrosse team, led by head coach Seth Cohen and assistant coach Brett Tietjen, is currently in preseason with workouts since early November to prepare for the upcoming season.
Over the past three years, the Cubs have played in two championship games and made playoffs each of those three years. Last year, the team won the LA Section Championship Game against Palos Verdes High School 11-5, and they beat Foothill High School by a score of 13-4 for the CIF Southern Section Title.
The team finished last season ranked 23rd in the country and fourth in the state.
Coach Seth Cohen said, “Hopefully the team is even hungrier for this year.”
Since the beginning of November, the Cubs have been in the weightroom and on the field working out to become stronger, faster and healthier for the upcoming season. Whether with their lacrosse coach Seth Cohen or with the strength and conditioning coordinating Andre Woodert, the Cubs are at Loyola at six most mornings.
Junior long stick midfielder Thomas Gonzalez said, “Main goals this off season are definitely getting stronger before we have a tough season. Coach Andre is trying to get everyone quicker and stronger.”
Beginning at six in the morning, the Cubs start their workouts—whether it be lifting in the weightroom, running on the track or practicing lacrosse on Smith Field. The lacrosse team also work outs after school. On Wednesdays after school, the team hits the weightroom after morning practice.
The average week for a varsity lacrosse player is filled with workouts everyday.
Sophomore attackman Alex Horowitz said, “We’re all taking it seriously. Everyone’s showing up to practice every morning and putting in work.”
The varsity lacrosse season opens on Saturday, Feb. 24, with a rematch from last year’s championship game against Foothill High School, the number twelve team in California, at Los Alamitos High School.
The Cubs’ third game of the season comes against St. Ignatius in San Francisco, who finished last year ranked second in California.
Horowitz said, “We’re playing a team that was top ten nationally ranked last year, among many others.”