The Women’s Lacrosse Team officially kicked off their season on Thursday, Feb. 12, with the Lady Mavericks taking home a massive 13-1 home win against Bowie. Continuing into their season the Lady Mavericks continued to play hard against St. Michaels on Thursday, Feb. 26, leading to a 11-10 win. The men’s team began their season with their first game against Hyde Park, in a tight 14-13 win, but broke their winning streak against Leander on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in a 6-7 overtime loss.
For senior midfielder Camille Prevost, the opening win was more than just a number on the scoreboard, it was a sign the team’s preparation was paying off.
“[The win against Bowie] felt great because I felt like our season was off to a strong start,” Prevost said. “I am excited for the rest of the season, and we build on that win.”
With the preseason setting a solid foundation the Lady Mavericks are more focused on sharpening the details. Prevost said that the team plans to expand their playbook this year and improve their clearance.
“We have been working on more plays since we only have a few in the playbook right now, and working on getting the ball across the field on clears,” Prevost said. “I think we’re pretty confident, our preseason went pretty well, and we beat all these teams last year, so we know we can again.”
The teams, combined with other Round Rock ISD schools, have 5 boys and 2 girls representing McNeil, including sophomore midfielder Silas Carter. After the men’s team opened their season with the win over Hyde Park, Silas said the game was a test of resilience from start to finish.
“We were actually losing by like one point most of the time,” Carter said. “But then we locked in in the last part, it was exciting because we hadn’t won a varsity game in like two years.”
As one of the seven McNeil players represented in the program, Prevost said she is embracing the emotions that come along with her senior season.
“I’m so sad its ending, we are having all of our like last firsts and it’s just making me really sad,” Prevost said. “I’m so excited to go to the state championship again this year near the end of April to May-ish.”
With a new group of freshmen stepping up this season and a shift in team culture, Carter believes that this year feels different.
“We’re good this year, the seniors last year were a little toxic,” Carter said. “Then this year we got a lot of new freshmen, it just feels like such a good team, we all feel pretty confident in our eligibility to win and go far. I’m pretty confident we’re gonna make playoffs.”
As both programs continue into their seasons and begin district play, both teams have already begun to prove that this year is about growth, and continuing to build. And with confidence rising with both teams, playoffs are in sight.
