Year One for the Chaparrals' women's lacrosse program is up and running and preparing for its season opener Wednesday afternoon at home against St. Ambrose.
 
Head coach Gary Cope's 2024 roster boasts 15 Chaparrals.
 
"We're getting there,'' Cope said. "Their effort is impressive. We're learning together and working on improvement every day.''
 
Having the only NJCAA women's lacrosse team in the Great Lakes area creates scheduling challenges. The Chaps will play their only NJCAA games when they travel to upstate New York to take on Genesee, Onondaga and Monroe CC the final week of March.
 
The remainder of the schedule features area club and four-year squads.
 
Cope said more than half of his squad has a high school lacrosse background.
 
"We're very fortunate to have a group of women that has a background playing the sport, in addition to those who have played other sports and have the skill-set to play lacrosse,'' he said. "The principles of hard work and positive attitude goes a long way.  I know we're going to get after it and face the challenge head-on. They've embraced that attitude.''
 
Among those who have stood out are freshmen Iqura Kainat, Nadja Tyka and Paula Osorio.
 
"Iqura has a lot of offensive skill and leads by example,'' Cope said. "Nadja has good speed and instincts. She has grown her lacrosse IQ. Paula is tough and aggressive. She plays well on both ends of the field.''
 
Former softball pitcher Chloe Warren is also on the roster and Cope said the fact she has played a college sport is a plus.
 
"Chloe brings a degree of college experience,'' he said. "She has good speed and hand-eye coordination.''