Sure, the
Air Academy (US Air Force Academy) girls lacrosse team has been all too happy to turn a proud eye toward the championship hardware the club brought home in 2012.
Yet as the Kadets prepared for the 2013 campaign, coach Sean Harmon wasn't sure what to expect. While the program's track record of success has built Air Academy into the sort of perennial power accustomed to reloading instead of rebuilding, Harmon still couldn't help turning his eyes from the school's trophy case to focus instead on the many question marks surrounding the team.
Kaley Holmes, Air Academy
Photo by Ray Chen
After all, this was a squad that lost not only its top two scorers, but two players who eclipsed 70 goals in Erin Todd and Miranda Beal. Add to those losses the graduation of goalkeeper Kenzie Baer, and it was easy to wonder if a run toward a fourth state title-game appearance in five years was a realistic goal.
So far, it seems like business as usual for the Kadets. Fresh off a 21-0 dismantling of crosstown rival Liberty, the streaking Kadets will have their red-hot offense tested Friday in a key Southern League showdown against Palmer Ridge.
"We're definitely taking steps in the right direction," Air Academy coach Sean Harmon said. "We're working hard in practice and are starting to take that attitude into our games. The girls are finding their roles and are figuring out what they have to do for us to be successful.
"I also like to break the season up into three sections — before spring break, after spring break and the postseason. We found our way through the first portion and hopefully now things are coming together."
Despite the loss of Todd and Beal, the Kadets' offense, while still somewhat of a work in progress, has shown signs of once again evolving into a goal-scoring behemoth. Unleashing a more balanced attack this season led by juniors
Kaley Holmes and
Natalie Berg, Air Academy's third-leading scorer last season, the team heads into its key tilt against Palmer Ridge boasting a wealth of offensive momentum.
Through their 6-1 start, the defending state champs have averaged 18.1 goals per game. Moreover, the Kadets are beginning to display a penchant for adjusting on the fly that is critical for any squad harboring state championship aspirations. When a recent rash of injuries left Air Academy dangerously thin at goalie, Harmon simply turned to junior
Marlissa Wingett who, after just two days of practice at the position, calmly stepped in to help Air Academy continue its winning streak.
"She plays basketball and those defensive skills certainly apply to lacrosse," Harmon said. "We're starting to find our way. I don't place a lot of emphasis on offense. I'm a defensive-minded coach who thinks if you play good D, offense will take care of itself. We're really starting to play that way."