Lacrosse adjusts to change as 2013 nears

Coach John Sung’s side trains on the practice turf across from Winthrop’s soccer stadium, Eagle Field. Photo by David ThackhamBy David Thackham
thackhamd@mytjnow.com

Even Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant had to endure long practices, tirelessly working out their mechanics before they reached their peaks of success. Such is the ethos Winthrop women’s lacrosse head coach John Sung would like to instill into his team. In fact, Sung models some of his training regimen on the drills basketball players use to develop their speed and muscle memory. 

“It’s easier for me to tell [the girls] to turn on a basketball game then a lacrosse game,” Sung said. “Basketball and lacrosse’s movements are basically the same. You have to get your hands up, eyes up, head up and stay alert.”

For the women’s lacrosse program, 2012 could be considered the equivalent of basketball’s shootaround, a warm-up to the season tip-off 12 months from now. 

For all intents and purposes, the team’s already in good shape. The squad practices regularly on the turf near Eagle Field and has received warm treatment from the athletic department. For Sung, who also kick started the lacrosse program at D-III Adrian College in Michigan, it’s a far easier situation in Rock Hill. 

“This is much, much better [than in Adrian],” he said. “The athletic department has been phenomenal and very supportive.”

At this point, the one thing Sung doesn’t have yet is much of a team. Only three players, Taylor Moreau, Mary Accomando and Maddilyn Genovese, remain from the initial group of seven that were introduced in 2011. 

“It’s the weeding out process of being in Division I,” Sung said. “It’s hard to work with such a small group of players, but like I’ve said, we’re looking to build a competitive team from the start.”

Since the practices will consist of only Sung, assistant coach Amanda Shimp and the three girls until August, there are positives and negatives of having such small, intense practice sessions. 

“A lot of the teaching is hard to do with just three on the field, but we can talk to them and correct mistakes quickly,” Sung said. “Small practices are intense, but if you watch them, they’re taking every single rep by themselves. So we need to teach them to take care of themselves.”

Barring any more dropouts, Sung will command 19 more players coming in the fall as the class of 2016. For the players who are at Winthrop now, this year is the dress rehearsal before the big show begins on February 9 against Navy.