The lacrosse program at Northwestern Lehigh started in 2019 and although it is still going through some growing pains, the interest is high. So high in fact that between varsity and JV, the roster has 17 freshmen players, and they have made an impact on both head coach Bridget Cerciello and this year’s senior players.

“Our younger girls are starting to have a large impact on our team,” said senior Ava Collins. “They bring a lot of new energy and new ways to work because lacrosse might not be their number one sport, but they put their all into practice and still have a smile.”

The roster also has five seniors – Claire Costa, Collins, Alexis Vennera, Daniella Lister and goalie Gabby Gober, who provide leadership for the younger players.

Collins has been playing lacrosse since fifth grade, starting in the Lower Macungie youth program before Northwestern Lehigh having a youth lacrosse program in anticipation of starting the varsity team.

Even though her freshman year was wiped out by COVID, Collins is on the brink of becoming the first player in the program to reach the 100-goal mark. She came into the season needing nine goals and in the season opener against Hazleton she scored six goals in the 18-3 win for the Lady Tigers. Her next chance comes Thursday afternoon at Saucon Valley.

Collins will be even more important than ever this season since two key members of last season’s team – Sarah and Emilee Schultz - were offensive leaders. Collins will not have to go it alone though because teammate Lexi Vennera is another weapon at the Tigers’ disposal.

“Ava (Collins) is back, and she is a strong attacker, plus we have a strong chemistry that is even better than last year, and we are learning how to work with each other,” said Vennera. “I think we will see the offense improving as the season goes on.”

That chemistry could be what unlocks success for Northwestern. Who is playing and where is only the one part of the formula. A more important factor has to do with the approach that the players take to the game and how they respond to each other.

“I think that we all just need to increase the heart and hustle and we need to have a better team atmosphere and work together better,” said Costa, a senior.

Second-year head coach Bridget Cerciello is going to do her part to remake the chemistry of the team and instill some of the things she learned in her first season as the head coach into the 2023 season.

“It was a learning experience,” said the former St. Joe’s University player. “I had a great time with the girls, and I learned a lot about what to expect from them. This year I am looking to be a little more intense and look for more out of the girls.

Last year I was a little lax with the girls at times and this season I need to push for more.”

Defensively, Northwestern is extremely young with junior Sophia Schneck being the most veteran defensive player besides goalie Gabby Gober. With experience in goal in both lacrosse and field hockey, Gober will be able to cover some of the mistakes that a young group will make, but there may be an early season learning curve to work through.

With the Colonial League not having enough teams to sanction lacrosse, Northwestern faces a large number of East Penn Conference teams this season. Following the game against Saucon Valley, the Tigers have a tough stretch against Freedom, Easton, home-and-home games against Nazareth, Liberty and Pleasant Valley.

In the season opener on Tuesday, in addition to Collins’ six goals, Vennera scored three times, while Claire and Olivia Costa both scored twice. Sophomores Ella Dangello and Sydney Wright along with freshmen Kiersten Klein, Mykaela Yanders and Amelia Birch all netted solo goals.