Lacrosse is built on tradition. After Coach Kate Haffenreffer stepped down in 2025 following a decade leading the program, the Rams were forced to turn the page. Lauren Ottensmeyer, a St. Louis native and former Division 1 University of Cincinnati standout, who has accolades of USA Lacrosse 2024 D1 All-American, Preseason All Big 12 Team, Preseason USA Lacrosse 3rd Team All-American, All-Big 12 Team, and multiple All-Conference Academic First Team honors, stepped in as Head Coach for the 2026 season.
Now, several weeks into the season, a question is on everyone’s minds: How is the transition going?
“My coaching style is creative,” Ottensmeyer said. “I let the game be their game and show the girls the tools to utilize it. I don’t run many set plays but teach the IQ out of movements. I coach hard and hold a standard, but also look to build a relationship and trust with the girls.”
Players have felt that shift firsthand.
“She’s more blunt, and it feels like more college-level coaching. She’s very strict, but also has a lot more openness with us,” Captain Amelia Mackin ‘26 said.
Midfielder Victoria Noble ‘28 put it in the coach’s own terms.
“Coach Lauren emphasizes giving us ‘tools for our tool boxes’ and letting our play be organic,” Noble said.
At first unfamiliar, this freedom has been welcomed by some players who are accustomed to a more structured system.
Taking on a role in a program with a deep rooted identity is never easy. Ottensmeyer acknowledged this new reality while making clear she is not interested in getting rid of what came before her.
“I feel as though the history and identity of MICDS Girls Lacrosse is very solid. I don’t look to change everything. However, I try to bring my vision in while also respecting tradition and history. I took to add to it positively,” Ottensmeyer said.
Earning trust early is part of that process.
“At the start of the season, she had already developed a plan for success based on the film and strategies of all of our opponents, and our film from last year,” Captain Georgia Lochhead ‘26 said. “She came out tough, but in a way that we all appreciated, and earned respect by building connections and giving helpful coaching cues to us individually right away,” Lochhead added.
For Mackin, a single moment early in the season stood out. During the team’s first game against rival John Burroughs, MICDS found itself down by five goals. Rather than panic, “She just looked at us and she was like, ‘This is your game. You guys are doing great. Just keep going,’” Mackin said. “That was the moment where we all kind of realized she didn’t freak out, and it made us calm.”
The players said the team has a noticeably strong team bond. Much of that chemistry came from before the first day of practice due to “a large portion of the roster also plays field hockey together, [so] we all came in with such a close relationship to each other,” Lochhead said.
Noble described the team in one word in order to capture the locker room atmosphere. “Electric,” Noble said. “We get so excited pregame and have huge dance parties and hype talks to pump each other up,” Noble said.
Ottensmeyer said that closeness was one of the first things she noticed when she took over. “They are so close as a team and it has been great to see,” Ottensmeyer said.
Eyes On State
With the girls coming into late April with a 6-3 record, state championship talk has begun, and neither the girls or the coach are hesitating.
“I believe the girls have what it takes to win a state championship this year. I think they need to believe it and feel it to do so. We learn well and adjust well, but we have to practice hard to play hard. I always say I am honest, and if I didn’t feel like we are capable, I wouldn’t say it,” Ottensmeyer said.
“We have the incentive and drive to take back the title that has been taken from us the past couple of years,” Captain Josie Ciarmita ‘27 said. “We know what it’s like to lose and we finally want to be the team that wins. If we can all work together and support each other and everyone wants it, then 100% we will win state.”
“I see sparks in our team that show excellence and if we can put together an entire 48 minutes we will win,” Noble said.
Mackin was equally direct. “Why not us?” Mackin emphasized. “I think we have some of the best players in the state on our team, and we are one of the, if not the most, athletic teams. If we connect the pieces together and keep working on the little things, state, why can’t it be us?” Mackin added.
Still, players acknowledge there is work to do before the playoffs, Mackin recognized defense as the area most in need of improvement.
“Our offense is great, everyone can score, but defensively, we tend to make a lot of the same mistakes. If we figure that out and really dial in on defense, then we’re golden,” Mackin said.
“We need to push on each other towards success. If we focus on our systems and play for each other, we will find success,” Noble said.
