First-year head coach Britt Howard and the Oswego State women’s lacrosse team are looking to build on last year’s playoff appearance and 12-4 record.

Howard, the daughter of Lakers wrestling head coach Mike Howard, brings with her a wealth of coaching experience to a budding Oswego State women’s lacrosse program.

Coming by way of the College at Brockport, Adrian College and Binghamton University as an assistant coach, Howard comes in as a coach with NCAA Tournament experience and qualifications as a Div. I recruiter.

As  a player,  she was a four-year midfielder out of Div. II Limestone College, a career 95-point scorer and a USAcollegelacrosse.com All-American Honorable Mention.

The Lakers are coming off a historic rebound year, tying the program record in wins with 12. The team is primed to build on last season’s success.

“It’s one day at a time,” Howard said. “This is a new team, new coach, new style. This team lost seven great seniors last season who were players that really did great in the program. We just take it one game at a time, we work through everything, and we work through our next opponent.”

Former head coach Brandi Lusk left Howard a talented team. And Howard’s experience, combined with the enthusiasm of the upperclassmen, means the women’s lacrosse program is primed for success.

“The team morale is so high from last year just because we did get so far,” said senior Kelsey Henderson said. “Having a new coach also builds so much morale for the team. We just always have to make sure we’re working together and just staying as one team.”

Henderson, who has 35 goals with 41 total points so far in her Laker career, is involved in the process of assuming leadership to make sure there is a smooth transition between head coaches.

“Take it day by day because that’s the only way we’re going to be as successful as we were last year,” Henderson said.

Last year included some landmark wins and moments from the team, setting a bar of success that will motivate returning players to surpass those milestones and ignite new players to go above beyond to take the program even further.

Some of the highlight moments last year included taking down No. 9 The College at Brockport 13-12 in the season finale and advancing to the semifinals of the SUNYAC tournament, only falling to regular season champion and eventual tournament champion SUNY Cortland.

“I just came in in December and I had no idea what these kids were like,” Howard said. “I met with all of them individually and they all brought something different to the table.”

With two seniors and four juniors returning to the roster, the team has enough veteran leadership to continue the habits that were built in 2016 as well as on-field improvement with the system Howard is implementing.

“I know their work ethic and I know what they’re capable of,” Howard said. “My job is to make sure they’re going out their everyday and giving it their all.”

Though they suffered a 10-6 loss to Clarkson university in their first game, the morale in the locker room remains high due to a positive attitude.

“I think the new style is much more positive every day in practice.” Henderson said. “Every player wants to be here. Not saying that wasn’t the case last year, but there’s definitely a more positive and reinforcing attitude where everyone’s strengths are recognized instead of their weaknesses being pointed out.”

The Lakers continue their schedule with one game before spring break, and more exhibitions throughout March, opening up their SUNYAC schedule on April 1 with a road matchup against the College at Brockport.