The Northampton girls lacrosse team was supposed to see a new beginning this year.

Lacrosse was officially a varsity sport, and new head coach Kandiss Schrader was about to lead the girls program in her first season.

But we all know the story by now, as schools are closed and the winter and spring high school sports seasons were canceled.

Now, the NHS girls lacrosse team can only wonder “what if” as they wait to make their debut in - hopefully - about a year from now.

“Having been a K-Kid myself and having played D1 lacrosse, I applied as soon as I heard [about the position opening],” Schrader said.

Schrader mentioned there may be those who are wondering how a former K-Kid played Division I lacrosse.

Schrader, who played field hockey at Northampton, was a goalie playing for D1 Fairfield, and it just so happened the lacrosse team needed a netminder as well, so Schrader got the call despite the Kids not even having lacrosse as a sport during her high school career.

“They cross-trained me and into D1 lacrosse and in I went,” Schrader said. “I fell in love with the game. I have been coaching since college. I coached in Connecticut at Greens Farms Academy and then at Perkiomen School in Pennsburg. Then I went to coaching field hockey, spending almost 10 years at Lehigh University as an assistant.”

Schrader left Lehigh after her own kids got into sports, and she wanted to coach them. She started coaching in the Northampton youth program and began with one grade 2-4 team and eventually had grades 2-4, fifth and sixth grade as well as seventh and eighth grade.

She coached the youth for six years and some of her current players have played six years for her, including her daughter.

Like many coaches at NHS and throughout the country, Schrader took the cancellation hard.

“Being that this is my first season with the varsity team it was really sad to have it canceled,” she said. “In the offseason and in our first few practices, we had learned new strategy, drills, skills, and plays that the girls were ready to showcase. I am proud that a good group of girls have been continuing their workouts.”

Schrader said since it’s still the “season” she posts a workout every day as if they still have practice. The girls then post about how the workout went in their team app.

Despite still working, Schrader does the workouts as well, including a recent Mile Monday.

“I have been using my lunch breaks to get workouts in and motivate the girls. Many of the girls follow suit and get their workouts in too,” Schrader said.

Until next season, Schrader is hoping to keep the girl motivated until that official debut comes around again.

Look for a preview story about the girls team in an upcoming issue.