The crash of players hitting one another, the clattering of sticks and the whoosh of the ball entering the net: These are the sounds of the boys developmental lacrosse team.

This year, with an influx of new lacrosse players, the developmental team was born, with the goal of teaching new players the fundamentals while helping them improve their skills. The team started as a third team alongside the varsity and junior varsity teams.

Boys varsity lacrosse coach Dan Gardner said that framing the third team as a developmental team opens up opportunities for many people who may have never played the sport before, helping grow the lacrosse program.

Gardner said that the positive culture among current players has led to an increase in the sport’s popularity.

“It’s because the kids who already play are nice kids,” Gardner said. “They are wonderful people, so other people want to join in what they’re doing. Because of this, there is a tremendous impact on what they are doing.”

One new player on the team, sophomore Pau Moreno-Mola, said that he joined the developmental team with his friends after deciding to try lacrosse for the first time.

“Learning a new sport is a really good thing to do. Just in general, no matter what age you are,” Moreno-Mola said. “I was planning to do lacrosse already, and then a couple of my friends were also going to do it.”

Gardner said that he is excited to see the long-term development of the players who are not on varsity.

“My hope is that by the end, but really by the middle of the season, that they can get out there, play the sport of lacrosse and understand most aspects of the game,” Gardner said.

Gardner said that he feels fortunate because of the effort that his players put in.

“I just find myself to be very, very fortunate to have this group of kids, learning the sport that I love and putting in the effort that they have so far,” Gardner said.

Developmental team captain and sophomore Lars Peterson, who also plays on the varsity soccer team, said that he joined lacrosse this year to keep fit.

“Hopefully it keeps me in shape and defensively, I’ll learn a little bit more if I’m playing defense in lacrosse and I play offense in soccer,” Peterson said.

According to Gardner, the team will have frequent practices to give the players a strong lacrosse experience.

“We are hoping to have 8 to 12 games or so, and they will practice five days a week and put a lot of work in, and they will have a very full, robust experience,” Gardner said.

Peterson said that he recommends anybody to see a developmental team lacrosse game.

“I encourage everyone to try to see at least one developmental lacrosse game. I bet you will have a fun experience,” Peterson said.

Gardner said the players have a the high level of dedication.

“This group of kids have really shown that when they commit to something, they’re truly committed. They are putting in real effort. This isn’t a side project. It’s not just an after-school activity. They’re treating it with respect,” Gardner said. “When they decide to do something, they jump feet first and put all of their effort into it.”