How is Haslett-Williamston girls lacrosse team performing this season. What impact has freshman Abby Russell made on the team. How does Coach Chad Pastor view Russell’s potential. What are the key statistics highlighting Russell’s performance.
Freshman Sensation: Abby Russell’s Impact on Haslett-Williamston Lacrosse
The Haslett-Williamston girls lacrosse team is experiencing a groundbreaking season, largely due to the outstanding performance of freshman player Abby Russell. Despite the challenge of adapting to varsity-level competition, Russell has quickly become a key contributor to the team’s success.
Russell’s experience in travel lacrosse, often competing against older players, has prepared her well for the high school varsity level. Her seamless integration into the team is evident in her impressive statistics: 69 goals and 39 assists, totaling 108 points in just 17 games. With a remarkable 70% shot rate, Russell has surpassed even her own expectations for her debut season.
Coach’s Perspective on Russell’s Potential
Head coach Chad Pastor has been monitoring Russell’s progress for years and is not surprised by her exceptional performance. He notes, “Abby Russell I’ve been watching for a number of years. There’s always been that ability there for her to play.” Pastor anticipates continued growth in Russell’s skills as she progresses in her high school career.
Team Dynamics and Russell’s Unselfish Play
Russell’s success is not just about individual achievements. Her unselfish approach to the game has contributed significantly to the team’s overall performance. She emphasizes the importance of teamwork, stating, “I always want the best look, never want to force goals, always work around on my teammates and I trust all of them with the ball and whatever the best look is, that’s what I want for my team.”
This team-first mentality has helped the Vikings achieve a 15-2 overall record, including an impressive 15-game winning streak. The combination of Russell’s talent and the experience of the senior players has created a formidable force on the field.
Record-Breaking Season for Haslett-Williamston
The Haslett-Williamston girls lacrosse team is in the midst of their most successful season ever. Their achievements include:
- 15-2 overall record
- 15-game winning streak
- Regular season conference champions
- CAAC Cup Champions
With two regular season games remaining before the postseason, the team is poised to make a strong run in the playoffs.
Future Prospects for Haslett-Williamston Lacrosse
While the current success is partly attributed to a talented senior core, Russell’s exceptional freshman performance bodes well for the program’s future. Russell herself is optimistic about the team’s prospects, saying, “This program’s gonna be great going to my other years. The other girls, we’ve already grown so much this season. So I think we’re just gonna keep getting better.”
Haslett Lacrosse Club: A Comprehensive Overview
The Haslett Lacrosse Club is a well-established program that has been making waves in Michigan high school lacrosse. Here’s a breakdown of the club’s key information:
- Location: Haslett, MI
- Official Web Site: Haslett Lacrosse Club
- Social Media Presence:
- Twitter: @HDubLax, @Lacrosse_HW
- Facebook: Haslett Lacrosse Club
- Instagram: @hdublax, @haslettlacrosseclub, @hw_girls_lacrosse
The club operates as a co-op program between Haslett and Williamston, allowing for a larger talent pool and increased competitiveness.
Schedule and Results Tracking
For those interested in following the team’s performance, schedules and results can be found on various platforms:
- Boys: LaxBytes (2019-present), MHSAA (2009-present), LaxPower (2006-2017)
- Girls: LaxBytes (2019-present), MHSAA (2009-present), LaxPower (2006-2017)
Additionally, the boys’ varsity lacrosse team maintains a presence on hudl, providing further insights into their performance and strategies.
College-Bound Talent: Haslett-Williamston’s Rising Stars
The Haslett-Williamston lacrosse program has been successful in nurturing college-level talent. Several players have committed to continuing their lacrosse careers at the collegiate level:
| Player | HS Grad Year | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kylie Pastor | 2024 | G | Coastal Carolina (M:MCLA W:D1) |
| Emma Kincaid | 2024 | D/M | Kent St. (M:NCLL W:D1) |
| Breyer Fenech | 2023 | M | Maryland (UMBC) (D1) |
| (Jayden) Mac Thomas | 2023 | G/D | Missouri Baptist (NAIA) |
This impressive list of college commitments demonstrates the high caliber of players being developed within the Haslett-Williamston lacrosse program.
The Role of Senior Leadership in Team Success
While freshman Abby Russell has been making headlines, the team’s success is also heavily influenced by its senior core. With four seniors set to continue their lacrosse careers at the Division I level next year, the team benefits from a wealth of experience and leadership.
These seniors have played a crucial role in mentoring younger players like Russell, helping them adapt quickly to the varsity level. Their guidance and support have been instrumental in creating a cohesive team dynamic that has led to the current record-breaking season.
Balancing Youth and Experience
The combination of experienced seniors and talented underclassmen like Russell creates a powerful mix on the field. This balance allows the team to benefit from the seniors’ knowledge of the game while also capitalizing on the fresh energy and talent of younger players.
As the seniors prepare to move on to their college careers, they are leaving behind a legacy of success and a strong foundation for the program’s future. Their mentorship of players like Russell ensures that the team will continue to thrive in the coming years.
Upcoming Challenges and Postseason Prospects
As the regular season winds down, the Haslett-Williamston girls lacrosse team faces some exciting challenges. Their upcoming game against Midland, a team ranked in the top five in the state, will be a true test of their abilities and a potential preview of their postseason performance.
With their current record and recent achievements, including the CAAC Cup Championship, the team is well-positioned for a strong postseason run. The combination of Russell’s scoring prowess, the senior leadership, and the overall team cohesion makes them a formidable opponent for any team they might face in the playoffs.
Keys to Postseason Success
As the team prepares for the postseason, several factors will be crucial to their continued success:
- Maintaining their current momentum and winning streak
- Continuing to leverage Russell’s scoring ability while ensuring balanced team play
- Utilizing the experience of the senior players in high-pressure situations
- Adapting to different opponents’ strategies and playing styles
- Staying focused and avoiding complacency despite their regular-season success
If the team can continue to excel in these areas, they have a strong chance of making a deep run in the postseason and potentially bringing home a state championship.
The Impact of Youth Development in Haslett Lacrosse
The success of players like Abby Russell highlights the importance of youth development in the Haslett lacrosse program. Russell’s experience in travel lacrosse from a young age has clearly contributed to her ability to excel at the high school level.
This emphasis on youth development creates a pipeline of talent for the high school program, ensuring a steady stream of skilled players ready to contribute at the varsity level. It also helps maintain the program’s competitiveness year after year, even as senior players graduate and move on to college lacrosse.
Youth Programs and Their Role
Youth lacrosse programs in the Haslett area play a crucial role in developing future high school stars. These programs offer several benefits:
- Early exposure to the sport, allowing children to develop a passion for lacrosse
- Fundamental skill development from a young age
- Opportunities to compete against a variety of opponents, including older players
- Development of teamwork and sportsmanship skills
- A pathway to high-level competition and potential college opportunities
By investing in youth programs, the Haslett lacrosse community is ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of their high school programs.
The Growth of Girls’ Lacrosse in Michigan
The success of the Haslett-Williamston girls lacrosse team is reflective of the overall growth of girls’ lacrosse in Michigan. In recent years, the sport has seen a significant increase in participation and competitiveness across the state.
This growth has led to more opportunities for female athletes, including increased college recruitment and the potential for scholarships. The success of programs like Haslett-Williamston serves as inspiration for other schools and communities looking to develop strong girls’ lacrosse programs.
Factors Contributing to Growth
Several factors have contributed to the growth of girls’ lacrosse in Michigan:
- Increased visibility of the sport at the collegiate and professional levels
- Development of youth programs and clinics
- Improved coaching and training resources
- Greater support from schools and communities
- Success stories of local athletes advancing to play at the college level
As the sport continues to grow, it’s likely that we’ll see even more success stories like that of the Haslett-Williamston team emerge from across the state.
The Role of Coaching in Player Development
The success of players like Abby Russell and the overall team performance of Haslett-Williamston highlights the crucial role of coaching in player development. Head coach Chad Pastor’s ability to identify and nurture talent has been a key factor in the team’s success.
Pastor’s approach to coaching goes beyond just teaching the technical aspects of the game. His ability to integrate new players into the team, balance the needs of individual player development with team success, and create a positive team culture has been instrumental in the program’s achievements.
Key Aspects of Effective Coaching
Some of the key aspects of effective coaching demonstrated by Pastor and his staff include:
- Talent identification and development
- Creating a positive and supportive team environment
- Balancing individual player growth with team success
- Adapting strategies to suit the team’s strengths
- Preparing players for success beyond high school
These coaching principles have not only led to on-field success but have also helped prepare players for collegiate lacrosse and future life challenges.
The Future of Haslett-Williamston Lacrosse
With the current success of the girls’ lacrosse team and the promising talent of players like Abby Russell, the future looks bright for Haslett-Williamston lacrosse. The program has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in Michigan high school lacrosse.
As the current group of seniors moves on to college lacrosse, the team will face the challenge of maintaining its high level of performance. However, with talented underclassmen like Russell ready to step into leadership roles, the program is well-positioned for continued success.
Goals for the Future
Looking ahead, the Haslett-Williamston lacrosse program may focus on several key areas:
- Continuing to develop strong youth programs to feed talent into the high school team
- Maintaining and expanding college recruitment opportunities for players
- Competing for state championships on a regular basis
- Further developing the boys’ lacrosse program to match the success of the girls’ team
- Expanding community support and involvement in the lacrosse program
With a strong foundation in place and a track record of success, Haslett-Williamston lacrosse is poised to remain a prominent force in Michigan high school sports for years to come.
Freshman lacrosse player making waves in Haslett
HASLETT, Mich. (WILX) – The Haslett-Williamston girls lacrosse team is in the midst of a record-breaking season, much in part to the efforts of one ninth grader.
With four seniors set to continue their lacrosse careers at the Division I level next year, Abby Russell has been a freshman sensation, which had a bit of an adjustment to make in playing at the varsity level.
“I mean definitely just like playing with this new team and like playing at the higher competition, I definitely had to get used to it,” Russell said.
But Russell’s played travel lacrosse her whole life, at times with players at least two years older than her.
Now 17 games in, Russell has adapted seamlessly and is now thriving at the varsity level, currently in the midst of an unprecedented 100-plus point season.
Freshman lacrosse player making waves in Haslett(WILX)
“This is definitely where I thrive in where I play best. It wasn’t too hard to adjust because my teammates we all clicked super fast and they all took me under their wing,” Russell said.
Head coach Chad Pastor has had Russell on his radar for years.
But now seeing who she is a player, what she’s doing comes as no surprise.
“Abby Russell I’ve been watching for a number of years. There’s always been that ability there for her to play,” Pastor said of his freshman. “I had a pretty good idea that she’d be pretty good, but you just never know how good they’re gonna be until you actually put a stick in their hands. Looking at her overall, the growth will just continue to come as she gets further along in her career.”
So just how good has Russell been?
Through 17 games she’s tallied 69 goals and 39 assists for 108 total points.
Just a freshman, she’s posted a staggering 70-percent shot rate.
Eye-popping numbers that even leaves her a bit surprised.
“I definitely did not expect that,” Russell admitted. “I expected to come out and be a key contributor but I did not think that I was gonna have this good of season.”
Though stats are of little importance to Russell.
At the end of the day, her team is winning, much in part to the unselfish nature she plays with.
“I always want the best look, never want to force goals, always work around on my teammates and I trust all of them with the ball and whatever the best look is, that’s what I want for my team,” Russell said.
Now at 15-2 overall and winners of their last 15, the Vikings’ most successful season ever comes on the backs of a very talented senior core.
But with Russell stirring the drink just as a freshman, it’s fair to say the program is in good hands for years to come.
“This program’s gonna be great going to my other years. The other girls, we’ve already grown so much this season. So I think we’re just gonna keep getting better,” Russell said.
The Vikings welcome, ranked inside the top five in the state, welcome Midland to town Tuesday evening at 5 p.m.
Regular season conference champions, as well as CAAC Cup Champions, the Vikings have two regular season games remaining before the postseason.
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Haslett | mitten state lax
Submitted by admin on
Location:
Haslett, MI
Official Web Site:
Haslett Lacrosse Club
Twitter:
@HDubLax
@Lacrosse_HW
Facebook:
Haslett Lacrosse Club
Instagram:
@hdublax
@haslettlacrosseclub
@hw_girls_lacrosse
Schedule/Results:
Boys (LaxBytes 2019-)
Boys (MHSAA 2009-)
Boys (LaxPower 2006-2017)
Girls (LaxBytes 2019-)
Girls (MHSAA 2009-)
Girls (LaxPower 2006-2017)
hudl:
Haslett/Williamston High School – Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse
Co-op program between Haslett and Williamston
(M:NCLL W:D1)
