The LAX Knights have recently taken a huge influx into the program, going from just a little over 30 players last year to now well over 60. Many freshmen, sophomores, and juniors have joined due to the efforts of head coach Devon Maxwell. Coach Maxwell took over the lacrosse team last year, and has since then breathed new life into the players. Alongside Coach Kay and Coach Matt, the Knights are looking forward to a great season. 

    Much of the new influx is credited to the fact that the program is no cut, which offers players of all skill levels to join and learn about the sport. However, Coach Maxwell’s club team, the Westside Bears which many current varsity players are a part of, also feeds into ND’s lacrosse team. However, next year Coach Maxwell plans to make the program a cut sport, to increase the volume of skilled players joining. The players were able to organize into 3 teams, as opposed to the 2 last year. The program now has a freshmen/sophomore team, a JV team, and a varsity team. The members have a variety of players, and they are all excited to start the season. 

    The season is jam packed for all teams, with the varsity team already having played in a tournament in Catalina, in which Redondo Union High School took the win. The varsity team has a total of 17 games this season, with its first against El Segundo on February 17th. The JV team has 15 games, with its first against El Segundo on the 17th as well. Finally, the frosh/soph team has 7 games with its first against Mira Costa.

California, especially Los Angeles, is one of the toughest leagues in the West Coast. With teams like Loyola, Mira Costa, and Crespi, the Knights are up against stiff competition this year. Last year, JV won the Mission League, but Varsity went 4-10, with wins against El Camino Real, Birmingham, Calabasas, and El Segundo, a decent record since the program started in 2016.

Varsity has some returning players, but unfortunately also lost 3 returning seniors. 

Dustin Penchansky, a new junior transfer student on varsity, has high hopes for his team. “I think there’s a lot of passion on this team, and I think even though we lost some really good players, we’re gonna work hard and be better than last year.” Said Penchansky. Dustin came from Culver City High School, where coach Maxwell originally coached, and currently has 3 offers from several universities, a hard feat to accomplish due to the small number of colleges that offer scholarships for lacrosse. “As a team I’m worried about our competitiveness, and how much hard work everyone has to put in to make it to the playoffs. Unfortunately, not everyone has that kind of time and commitment.” Said Dustin. Also on the team is senior Ryan Ostermann, who is currently committed to play lacrosse at Emerson University. 

The team is optimistic about making it to Mission League and winning. Coach Maxwell and the rest of the varsity team have high hopes for this season, and are looking forward to seeing their hard work pay off.

    First game is at home on February 17th against El Segundo, so make sure to cheer on your knights and pack the castle!