Wallingford Youth Lacrosse
Lauren Cretella
Lauren is the first lacrosse player that comes to my mind when I think of determination, teamwork, and integrity. She has played for me for 2 years now, starting as a midfielder and then realized we needed a committed goalie. She stepped in the cage and we all knew it was where she belonged. She found her voice and communicated and directed her team mates louder than any other player in that position. She sacrificed her desire to play the field because she knew she could do the job.
Off the field, she is a great friend to all her team mates. She encourages them and readily offers constructive criticism to her fellow team mates and they respect her for it.
At the Nutmeg Tourney, our team saw some great competition and consequently, many goals scored on Lauren. There were tears after the game and this just shows her dedication and drive to be the best she can be. The goalie position is a thankless position and it took a player like Lauren to transform and change the role to fill the void and make that position the communicator of play as well as the cheerleader. Well done, Lauren.
Tina Crispens
Tina Crispens is hands-down the most dedicated lacrosse coach I've worked with. She coached my daughter for 6 years and not only taught her how to play and love the game, but she molded her into a confident aggressive player that was able to play Varsity as a Freshman, which many of Tina's players did. She teaches them life lessons and gets to know them both on and off the field, offering advice and support with teenage girl "drama" when needed.
Aside from coaching her youth team, Sacred Heart Academy and Albertus Magnus, she also organized the Junior Referee training and drove the girls to the classes if they couldn't get there. She had study sessions with pizza at her house prior to them taking the test. Once they were officiating the youth games, she also made absolutely sure they were paid.
Tina teaches spin classes at the YMCA and off-season, encourages her players to attend her classes. She drags my daughter out of bed to go the the gym during the summer so she stays in shape for lacrosse season (even though she's not coaching her team anymore).
The dedication Tina has to this organization and to these players is something that most could not imagine. On top of all this, she volunteers as the Girls Coordinator, organizes the college teams to come and assist with the free Fall clinic and also is offering an instructional clinic for K-2 so these girls come into the Spring season having caught a ball with a basic understanding of the game. She just exudes compassion and love for not only the sport but for her athletes. They love her and the parents, me being one of them, are forever grateful for all she has given to our girls and the league.