Old Rochester Regional’s new varsity girls lacrosse coach is a familiar face to most of the players. Chris Tresca has been the junior varsity coach for several seasons at ORR and this year moved up in the ranks.

A teacher and boys basketball coach in Carver, Tresca has helped to establish up ORR’s fledgling girls lacrosse program, now entering its fourth year.

“We’re still trying to build ourselves up,” said Tresca.

The team has had some difficult losses in the process. Two years ago the team finished 5-12 and last year 4-14, but the coach said they’ve been playing more competitive teams. This year is the one the ORR girls make their mark, said Tresca.

“I truly believe that we can contend for a tournament spot, the first time in girls lacrosse history at Old Rochester,” he said. “We’ll have to earn it.”

Being a new sport at the school, most of the girls came in with no prior playing experience. Even this year’s class of 20 freshmen has only two who have been on the field before.

But stick work, conditioning and footwork to get the girls in shape are a big focus for Tresca. The team runs before and after practice.

“If you don’t have legs you can’t compete,” he said. “I’m fully vested in getting this program better to help them build as players and young ladies.”

Leadership on the team is strong with captains Tori Saltmarsh, Bailey Truesdale, Mikayla Demache and Madison Thomson all ready for a winning season.

Although last year’s season record was dismal, Tresca said it doesn’t reflect the team’s improvement. He admitted that lacrosse is a tough game to learn, but said, the girls are already ahead of schedule.

“I can already see more improvements right now at this point than I could see last year. Everyone is coming with the right attitude,” said Tresca. “We’re all on the right page.”