Over her successful career as a field hockey coach at Phillipsburg, Catasauqua, and currently Northampton, Carrie Saul has had her share of building and rebuilding programs.

Now, Saul has taken her expertise to another sport, as she began her second year as head constructor of the Northampton girls’ lacrosse program. Saul served as an assistant for the previous two campaigns before she took over the program last season. She also served as an assistant at Phillipsburg from 2001-06.

Last year, the Kids won three regular season games (3-15), and they were off to an 0-4 start to begin the week.

Yet, Saul knows patience will truly be a virtue.

“Our program has been decimated by numbers,” she said. “We are in the rebuilding/building stage. Last year, we had 17 girls, and this year we have 21. We’re playing with just a varsity schedule.

“We have nine freshmen on the roster, and that should help us in the long run. Our freshmen are our biggest class.”

The Kids have seniors goalie/defender Kadde Schrader, forward Audrey Wiesner, defender Erin Dumbach, and forward Peyton Arthofer to help provide leadership.

Schrader, who plans to attend Fairfield University next year on a field hockey scholarship, and Wiesner have been with the program since their freshman year. Dumbach, a former softball player, is in her first year, and Arthofer, a basketball player, had a strong junior season.

Junior Ella Steirer is the team’s leading scorer with 14 goals, and fellow junior Bri Gora is off to a good start with five goals after a knee injury early last year ended her season. Junior Isabella Feddor will also see some time in the nets. Feddor has 33 saves and 60 goals against, and Schrader has 16 saves and 13 goals against.

Freshman Lauren Reznick is a promising newcomer.

With the help of a returning core, Saul has seen progress from last season.

“Absolutely,” she confirmed. “We are playing with more confidence. We are looking to build upon our strengths from last season. Our younger girls are learning our defense and our system. We definitely have a learning curve.

“We are setting goals of working together and making stronger passes on transition plays. We have improved our hand and ball skills.”

Saul is comfortable with the youth program, as there are approximately 25 middle schoolers. There also is a school district summer program that includes games and tournaments. The veteran coach also has several girls playing club lacrosse.

For the Kids, it is a matter of time.

“We’ll get better,” said Saul. “We just have to keep building. As long as they keep learning, that’s all that I can ask.”