Westlake girls’ lacrosse gets ready for inaugural season





Rachel Mason

Rachel Mason

Everyone remembers the pioneers, the trailblazers, the ones who came first.

The first girls’ lacrosse team in Westlake High history will take the field for the first time at 6 p.m. Wed., March 6 at Agoura.

Jordan Kuchta, a freshman attack, has a unique connection with Westlake lacrosse.

Her brother, Luke, was part of the first Warrior boys’ lacrosse team four years ago. Luke Kuchta, a senior, helped WHS win the 101 Coast League title last spring.

Jordan Kuchta and the Warrior girls are making their own history.

“It’s pretty cool,” she said.

The Warriors played their first scrimmage, as a club entity, in January against Louisville. Westlake won, 8-7.

Brendan Edgerton, the girls’ coach, was hired in January after moving from Baltimore in August.

Edgerton, who grew up in New England, has been coaching girls’ lacrosse at various levels for seven years. Most recently, he coached the Blue Ridge Lacrosse Club in Charlottesville, Va.

“They’re making tremendous progress,” Edgerton said of his Warriors. “These girls are very coachable. It’s a special group.

“We’re building for the future.”

This team isn’t young. They’re extraordinarily green.

Twenty-one of 22 varsity players are freshmen. Jordanna Witt is the lone sophomore.

Many players are still learning fundamentals, but they’ve shown enthusiasm and effort at practice, Edgerton said.

Bridget Ahrens, a freshman captain and goalie, started playing lacrosse three years ago.

Ahrens said the Warriors have improved in the last few weeks of practice, from cradling the ball to staying balanced on defense.

“It’s a really cool experience to be the first girls’ team,” Ahrens said. “It’s really fun to say you’re on varsity as a freshman and walk around campus with a lacrosse stick. Hopefully the sport grows more.”

She played one game at goalie in seventh grade. Ahrens replaced a friend who broke her leg; she described the experience as “scary.”

Westlake didn’t have a goalie, so Ahrens volunteered to patrol the cage.

“I love being a goalie,” she said.

Ahrens, who swims in the offseason, is involved in the school choir and the Junior Statesmen of America club.

“This season we do not necessarily have to win, win, win,” Ahrens said. “I want everyone to have a good time and have fun on the field.”

Arden Edgerton, the coach’s daughter, grew up with a lacrosse stick in her hand.

“I always played in the yard with my dad,” Arden Edgerton said. “We love the sport. We’re the biggest lacrosse family there is.”

The center midfielder said “lacrosse in Baltimore is bigger than football in Texas.”

“Everyone comes out of the womb carrying a stick,” the captain said.

Edgerton said she’s enjoyed clicking with her teammates and offering pointers whenever they ask for help.

She started coaching an Agoura middle school recreation lacrosse team in January. Edgerton has coached the sport for three years, and she also enjoys playing field hockey and basketball. She’s considering running cross country in the fall.

Rachel Mason, an attack/midfielder, started playing lacrosse in the summer.

“My favorite part is being part of a team,” Mason said. “I’ve never played a team sport before.

“It’s a blast playing with all my friends—and lacrosse itself is so much fun. Each day I’m learning something new. Coach Edgerton is so helpful. He’s amazing.”

Mason, who played tennis for six years, is also active in Junior Statesmen of America with Ahrens.

“I really hope to win at least some of our games,” Mason said. “I think we’re really going to do great things. Personally, I hope I can be a reliable player.”

Arden Edgerton, Ahrens, and Mason will be volunteer coaches in March with the Agoura Scoopers youth program for girls ages 4 to 8.

Kuchta, who ran cross country in the fall, said she enjoys playing for the Warriors.

“It’s a good experience,” she said. “All the girls on the team are so sweet.”

A first-year player, Kuchta appreciates getting help from her teammates and brother. She wants to be active in student government next year.

“It’s a great team,” Kuchta said. “We have a great group of coaches. I can’t wait to see what we’ll look like in four years. I’m super excited for the season to start.”

Mikaela Vespe is another captain.

Ayana Baker, Allie Barham, Vanessa Chen, Heidi Chiu, Cayley Corridori, Sophia Day, Emily Garnica, Summer Hatae, Grace Levin, Lexi Padilla, Bailey Petracek, Katie Preston, Niki Puigdevall, Marissa Veis, Emily Weatherwax and Alex Wilson contribute for Westlake.

Mary Hauser and Amy Carlos are assistant coaches.

“We’ve got passion,” Arden Edgerton said. “We’re ready to go.”


STICK ’EM UP—Westlake High girls’ lacrosse freshman Katie Preston, right, defends teammate Bridget Ahrens at practice earlier this week. The Warriors open the season on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Agoura.

STICK ’EM UP—Westlake High girls’ lacrosse freshman Katie Preston, right, defends teammate Bridget Ahrens at practice earlier this week. The Warriors open the season on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Agoura.

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