The Summit High School boys lacrosse team is entering a new era. 

After seven seasons, Matty Marks has moved on from the program, allowing Drew Goldsmith to enter as the new head coach. 

While Goldsmith does not have any prior experience coaching at the high school level, he has coached youth lacrosse in Summit County and has a deep love for the sport. 

“It is a game that I played and enjoyed,” Goldsmith said. “My son has been playing it. It has been fun for him, and it’s been fun to spend time with him. I really enjoy hanging out with teenagers. You know, sometimes older people complain a lot, but these guys are positive. It brings a lot of energy to my day.” 

Goldsmith said he felt invigorated to become the head coach of the program because of the passion he has for shaping teenagers into the best version of themselves. With a squad of diversely talented athletes on his roster, Goldsmith is looking forward to all the growth and progress that is made throughout the spring lacrosse season.

“Sports, in my opinion, (are) about doing something that you are not comfortable with — failing, and maybe failing a bunch of times, then succeeding and building on that skill,” Goldsmith said.

Goldsmith takes over a program that has struggled to record wins in recent years. The Tigers went 0-7 last season before opting to play a junior-varsity only schedule due to a lack of varsity-level players.

With a new coaching staff, the athletes are not only looking forward to playing more varsity games, but also hopefully recording a couple more wins. 

“The biggest thing I am looking forward to is probably playing games,” senior Sean Mullaly said. “We have a lot more kids, so that will help a lot with keeping everybody fresh. I am pretty excited (for the coaching change). They are open to criticism from the players and are looking for help.”

With 44 players signed up this season, the Summit lacrosse team has plenty of players on its roster that play multiple sports. Most notably, the team has had several Summit hockey players quickly transition from skating down the ice to picking up the lacrosse stick for the spring season. 

“It’s pretty fun,” junior Karston Kerr said. “It’s like hockey, but I think it hurts a little more. I like it. You shoot and you score, so it’s pretty fun.”

Although Kerr and junior Oliver Dixon have limited to zero experience playing lacrosse, the two athletes and their hockey teammates are quickly taking up the game and are excited to lend their skills to the lacrosse team.

“I’m excited because my teammates from the hockey team play on the team,” Dixon said. “I get to keep up with them, stay in shape, keep the physical aspect going.”

In terms of returners, Summit will rely on Mullaly and senior Zander Reid — both of whom will split captain duties for the team this year. Mullaly will serve as the team’s goalie while Reid will play attack and midfield.

Following the team’s adversity-filled season last spring, Mullaly is hoping to be a leader that younger players can rely on for help and support.

“The biggest thing I want to do is make a positive team environment for the younger kids — try and help keep the program going, having everybody have fun,” Mullaly said. “That will help going to compete against these higher level teams. Hopefully we will win a few more games than we have in the past.”

With a knowledge of how hard it is notch a win against Summit’s opponents in the 4A Western Slope league, Mullaly is motivated to coach up his fellow players before, during and after the hard matchups. Last season, five of the seven 4A Western Slope league teams made the Class 4A state playoffs with Battle Mountain advancing all the way to the final four.

“I try to make sure to let them know that they are going to make mistakes and that it is okay for them to make mistakes,” Mullaly said. “(I) help them in any way like on the field and off the field to develop as a player and person.”

Summit will get its first test of the season when it takes on league opponent Aspen on Friday, March 14, in Aspen. 

“I am looking forward to the good competition,” Mullaly said. “It is definitely going to be a really hard game.” 

Summit will then play its first home game of the season on Tuesday, March 18, against Glenwood Springs. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

Summit is still looking to fill the final paid coaching position for the lacrosse team. Those interested in the position are asked to email tiger.boys.lacrosse@summitk12.org.