The girls’ JV soccer team has hired Mike Lord as its new coach, replacing Natalie McLachlan who resigned at the end of last season.

“Jenny [Pazderak], the girls’ varsity coach, called and asked if I would be interested in the position,” Lord said. 

Lord has previous experience coaching soccer and currently coaches a club team.

“I have been coaching on and off for about 25 years at various soccer clubs and high schools,” he said. “Presently, I coach at Space Cost United, as an ECNRL coach on the girls’ side. My teams are the older girls, 04/05 and 06’s girls”

With a new coach, comes more knowledge. Lord is teaching the girls new drills and formations to help them improve. 

“He coaches us in steps, so we start with the easy drills and they gradually get more advanced,” freshman forward Sela Horgan said. “He quizzes us on the formations we will do this year so we need to know how to act under pressure.”

Horgan said she has never seen the formations that Lord is teaching and thinks it will be fun to try something new. Freshman defensive player Violet Castillo agrees.

“Our coach gave us new a formation for when we play in games,” Castillo said. “I have never played in those formations so that will be interesting. I need to work on learning and remembering the new setups.”

Eighth-grader Eleanor A., who plays wing back and forward, said Lord is a good coach who will help the team succeed. 

“The way he coached is also very helpful to improve skills,” Eleanor said.

Castillo said she knows she will enjoy the season.

“Coach Mike Lord is a supportive coach who is really experienced,” Castillo said. “He has a great mindset for the team and I can tell he is excited for us to start playing.”

By Alice Lin