Ashland April 2020

Page 12 Ashland Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com April 2020
Sports
Blasi Selected To Coach Girls
Lacrosse At Ashland High
By KEN HAMWEY
Staff Sports Writer
Katie Blasi is Ashland High’s
new girls varsity lacrosse coach
and she should be a terrific addition
to the Clockers’ staff.
The 34-year-old native of Syracuse
will be coaching her first
varsity team but her background
in lacrosse is extensive — she’s
been a player, a coach and a referee.
During her interscholastic
days, Blasi played three varsity
seasons on attack at Liverpool
High (outside Syracuse) and four
more as a midfielder at Bentley
University where she was the Falcons’
captain as a senior.
She also coached at the youth
level in Lexington and Arlington
and was a referee in the greater
Boston area, officiating in youth
leagues and at junior-varsity
games.
“I’ve always enjoyed coaching
and when I heard about the vacancy
at Ashland, it seemed like
the perfect time and the perfect
opportunity,’’ said Blasi, who’s
lived in Ashland for the last four
years with her husband (Adam)
and three children. “I applied,
had an interview and was hired.’’
Blasi’s style and approach
should provide excitement for
fans of Ashland lacrosse. “A lot
depends on personnel but I like
a fast pace on offense and an uptempo
style on defense,’’ she said.
“I like off-ball movement on offense
and plenty of passing. My
defensive philosophy is all about
hustle, being aggressive and going
for ground balls.’’
Blasi met her captains (Emily
Henault, Emilee Lydon and
Kaitlin Loughlin) after being
hired and later met the rest of her
team before pre-season practice.
“The captains are excellent
leaders and they’re eager to get
started,’’ Blasi said. “They organized
workouts with other players,
they’re passionate about the
sport and they seem very motivated.’’
When the season starts, the
girls will be dealing with a coach
who stresses the basics and values
each player’s assets. “I want
them to know that I’ll recognize
their strengths and their value
to the team,’’ Blasi said. “And, I
want to make lacrosse a positive
experience for them. I’ll stress
fundamentals, hard work and
technique.’’
Ashland hasn’t been to the
tourney since 2015, so Blasi’s
goals in her rookie year are “to
build a strong foundation through
teamwork and hard work, and to
focus on one game at a time.’’
Her competitive philosophy,
however, addresses winning. “If
our players are reaching their potential
and enjoying their sport,
then winning will be the by-product,’’
she emphasized. “Building
solid team chemistry is a key to
success.’’
Stephen Marks, Ashland’s
Athletic Director, didn’t hesitate
when it was time to decide on a
replacement for Jessica Spencer.
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“Coach Blasi’s background
playing lacrosse in college, coaching,
and refereeing was definitely
a plus,’’ he said. “It’s our hope
that that combination proves to
be an asset in the development
of our entire lacrosse program.
What stood out the most was her
clear, long-term vision for the
program. She seems to truly understand
the balance of working
hard and being competitive with
keeping it fun and rewarding.
We’re confident our program is
in capable hands.’’
Marks also admires the relationship
building she’s shown.
“She met with the captains and
the rest of the team and she set
up meetings with both the Ashland
youth program and boys
coach Bill Graham. Additionally,
she hired our varsity field
hockey coach, Molly Bennett, to
be her assistant, which will only
enhance the team’s togetherness.
This team will be a unified group
moving forward.”
Blasi, who was hired in January,
knows her players may need
time to adjust to a new coach.
“My prime goal is to earn the
team’s respect and that will help
the girls buy into the program,’’
she said.
Acutely aware that the Clockers
compete in the Tri Valley
League’s Large Division, Blasi
views Hopkinton and Westwood
as the teams to beat. “Those
squads are well-coached, talented
and have strong tradition,’’ she
said. “The division is very challenging
but we’ll be competitive.’’
Blasi, who has her bachelors
and masters (Babson College) in
corporate finance and accounting,
worked for Liberty Mutual in
Boston for three years in finance
and accounting and later worked
for Arbor Networks (software
firm). When her children came
along, she became a stay-at-home
mom.
Now, she’s eager to get started
on a new chapter of her lacrosse
journey. Based on the attributes
she prefers in her players, her
venture into varsity coaching
should be successful.
“What I most want in players
is a willingness to hustle,’’ she
said. “I want our girls to get to
ground balls quickly and work
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hard to get possession. I also want
players who are skilled and have a
high lacrosse IQ. Athleticism and
being well-conditioned are keys
and players with positive attitudes
are a plus.’’
Blasi hopes her players will
grasp the importance of learning
valuable life lessons through athletics.
“Sports help student-athletes
to understand the value of
perseverance,’’ she noted. “It’s
important to work hard even if
we’re losing. Other key lessons are
being accountable and improving
leadership skills. Sports also help
players to be confident.’’
There’ll be about 40 girls in
Ashland’s jayvee and varsity programs.
They’ll all realize early
on that their new varsity coach
knows the game from different
levels and she’s intent on teaching
the sport’s fundamentals.
Blasi also played field hockey
in high school and her coach
(Kim Dominick) is a mentor she
hasn’t forgotten.
“She built a positive culture
and got the most out of all her
players because they all felt valued,’’
Blasi said.
That blueprint will be emulated
in Ashland and it’s very
likely that the Clockers will benefit
greatly from that approach.
Katie Blasi is ready for the season
to begin.