“Forward” was the position Springbrook’s Lauren Kessler played last season. It also described her body language.
Always pressing, always attacking, always storming the cage, Kessler was the irrepressible leader who carried the Blue Devils to the 4A state championship game. When Springbrook trailed Whitman, 3-0, in its playoff opener, it was Kessler (two goals, one assist) who ignited an improbable comeback win, 4-3.
This year, however, Kessler’s body language will change as she moves to goalie. Can the tall, aggressive speedster who scored 17 goals last season settle into a defensive posture? Don’t count on it.
“Lauren likes to pick teams up and put them on her back,” said Springbrook coach Kearney Francis. “As a goalie, she won’t sit back on the line. Let’s just say she’ll be very proactive.”
Springbrook has a rugged, veteran defense led by senior Hanh Nguyen. But getting used to Kessler’s William Wallace-style in goal has been difficult, evidenced by a 4-1 loss to Madison in the Blue Devils’ opening scrimmage.
“My teammates were kind of concerned when I came out to tackle people. They said, ‘You’re not supposed to do that,’” said Kessler. “We had a little discussion. Now everybody understands.”
A 6-0 victory over Bullis in Springbrook’s final scrimmage showed Kessler and her mates now are on the same page.
Goalkeeping chores are not foreign to Kessler. During her high school career, she has played goalie for Capital Pegasus, a club team consisting of elite Washington-area players. Kessler is considering offers from Stanford, Brown and Tufts. All want her to play in the cage.
Kessler, also a lacrosse standout, believes her position change in field hockey will go better than her brief trial in goal in lacrosse.
“I played a half in a scrimmage and just got pelted,” said Kessler. “Playing goalie is lacrosse is much different. You pretty much have to stand there. It wasn’t a good fit. I’m not a good passive person.”
And for that, Francis is appreciative.
