Beckett Navarrette
Staff Writer
Alumnus Rachel Nguyen is returning to Mira Costa six years after she graduating in order to pass on the lacrosse skills and knowledge she gained through four years of varsity lacrosse.
Former Mira Costa athlete, Rachel Nguyen, is now the new Assistant Coach for the Mira Costa girls varsity and junior varsity lacrosse teams. Nguyen will be helping coach under her former coach, Amanda Cross. Nguyen graduated Costa in the Class of 2010 and later moved on to William’s College in Massachusetts, however she is currently taking time off.
“I’m taking time off from college right now, and was picking up my little sister from practice when I learned about the need for an assistant coach,” said Nguyen. “The opportunity to work with the team, my sister and Amanda, one of the best coaches I’ve had was something I didn’t want to pass up.”
During her time at Costa, Nguyen played sports on the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity teams, as well as on a club team. By the time Nguyen graduated from Mira Costa, she had completed 14 seasons of sports by doing multiple sports every year.
“At Costa, I played for the freshman and JV basketball teams my freshman and sophomore years, competed on the club ice and roller skate teams all four years, and played lacrosse all four years.” Nguyen said.
Although Nguyen played lacrosse all four years at Costa, prior to her freshman year, she had no lacrosse experience. However because of Nguyen’s background in Hockey which is also a very physical sport including checks, the skills came naturally to her and she was able to make varsity first year on the team. In her later years of lacrosse, Nguyen became proficient in her position of goalie.
“I started off as a midfielder, enjoying scoring goals rather than blocking them, but we were in need of a goalie my junior and senior years, so I was an obvious person to force.” Nguyen said. “I enjoyed a bit of success in the league, making Bay League Most Outstanding Player those two years.”
Nguyen has little coaching experience but believes that through her experience as a player and through the guidance of Cross she will be able to properly teach the players. According to Nguyen, she is especially looking forward to passing on her knowledge to the goalies because of her background as one.
“I have little coaching experience, but my most useful attribute will be being able to pass on my knowledge of goalkeeping to the young goalies.” Nguyen said. “I’m looking forward to working with the team and watching the players, especially the goalies, develop as the season goes on.”
Nguyen found out about the job opening from her little sister, Mira Costa 9th grader Mailan Nguyen. Mailan started on the girls junior varsity lacrosse team this year and says she is excited but a little nervous practice under the guidance of her sister.
“I feel like it will be fun but also stressful at the same time having my sister as my coach,” Mailan said.
Nguyen will be starting her position on the 29th as assistant coach for the girls varsity and junior varsity teams. She says she is looking forward to coaching her sister.
“I haven’t started yet, but I think it will be interesting. I will enjoy the power,” Nguyen said.
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