Lacrosse season starting despite frigid temps

Despite temperatures dipping into the 20s, local lacrosse action is heating up.

The Fort Mill and Nation Ford lacrosse programs kick off the season next week. Fort Mill gets started Feb. 22 at home against AC Flora, while Nation Ford opens on the road at Clover Feb. 23.

Coming off a trip to the state championship last year before falling to Wando, Fort Mill, with eight seniors on the squad, is primed for another big run this year.

“We got work to do, but we will be OK,” Fort Mill head coach Stephen Nadalski said.

“We have had a few guys that have been here for four years. I feel like we are head and shoulders better than we were last year.”

Fort Mill’s road to a state title won’t be easy. The Yellow Jackets’ second game of the season, Feb. 27, will be on the road at Irmo, where they will face Wando again. They will also play several North Carolina schools, including Charlotte Latin, Greensboro Day, Marvin Ridge, Charlotte Christian and Myers Park to help strengthen them for a playoff run.

Nadalski said he has several kids on the team who have committed to play lacrosse beyond high school, so they are ready for the challenge the season holds.

“They are motivated and driven now and for the future,” he said. “Our expectations are to win.”

Falcons young, enthused

At Nation Ford, the Falcons are also in preparation to make it back to the playoffs. Head coach Brian Holland said his team is young, but enthusiastic.

“We have a couple of seniors,” he said. “But in terms of level of experience, we are still young.”

Holland said his team’s offense is better than the defense at the dawn of a new season, but figures over the rigors of a 14-game regular season, things will even out.

“We are progressing and that is nice,” he said. “It will be an interesting year. Our defense is young and inexperienced, but our offense is young too.”

Like Fort Mill, Nation Ford will take on some out-of-state schools such as Charlotte Latin, Providence Day and the Savannah Lacrosse Club as part of the regular season.

The girls’ lacrosse teams are also starting the season soon. Nation Ford’s girls start Feb. 22 at home against Blythewood and Fort Mill gets underway the next day, also at home, against Mauldin.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Lacrosse season starting despite frigid temps."