The Former assistant coach Charlie Lonergan, Assistant Director of College Counseling, stepped into his new position as head coach of Girls Varsity Lacrosse this year and continued the Wildcats’ success.

Girls lacrosse at Williston has had an outstanding program dating back to the 1970s. The school has one of the toughest schedules in the NEPSAC.

Coach Lonergan has a substantial lacrosse background; he has been involved with lacrosse since fifth grade, which is when his success began. He grew up in Concord, Massachusetts.

He decided his sophomore year of high school that he would continue his lacrosse career at the collegiate level by playing Division 1 lacrosse at Hobart and William Smith, in Geneva, N.Y.

He began coaching right after he graduated from Hobart. The teams he coached before Williston were all boys teams which makes his transition to Williston much more interesting.

He stated that coaching girls for the first time was nerve wracking at first, because the rules are different. He also said he was anxious taking over such a successful program with a great history.

“I love the potential the team has, especially the work ethic and big expectations,” he said. “I’m really excited to see what the season has to bring.”

The style of play has been changing with new additions of drills and skills that make everyone step out of their comfort zone. These drills include shooting drills and others focused on defensive stick work.

His season’s goals are to continue to build the legacy and honor the past and continue to develop in new ways as well.

Coach Katy Bredis, Math Teacher, is the assistant coach. She enjoys working alongside Lonergan, and feels that “it’s always exciting to have a new perspective, especially when you’re young.”

The style of play under Coach Lonergan’s coaching is inclusive, fast paced, and has the perfect balance of leadership across the field.

Rachel Burke ’19 is one of the captains of the team. She loves Lonergan’s coaching. “The positivity he adds to the team along with new drills and skills makes the season challenging but also very fun,” she said.

In the past nine years the team’s record is 125-8. Wildcats, over the years, have produced All Americans and Academic All Americans. As of May 8, the team’s record was 7-2.