The Highland Park Lacrosse program has settled in with new coach and is ready to repeat their State Championship win.
Mike Pressler knows lacrosse, having coached countless champions, he has found himself coaching Highland Park kids. Pressler’s arrival a year and half ago shook the Scots lacrosse world. Pressler was the head coach for 16 season at Duke where they take lacrosse seriously. He received Lacrosse College Coach of the Year, the F. Morris Touchstone award in 2005. Coach Pressler coached the US national team to a gold medal in 2010.
Just my opinion but I don’t think Pressler is in coaching for awards, it appears he loves coaching, loves his players and loves lacrosse. He spends his springs coaching Highland Park Scots and still finds times in the summer into early fall to coach the Atlas Lacrosse team in the Premier league.
2023 was Coach Pressler’s first season coaching the Scots, no one was sure what to expect. Fast forward to a raining Sunday in May of 2023, suddenly Highland Park Lacrosse was a team that knew they could win as long as they worked together. With a dramatic display of teamwork in both the Semi Final game and the State Championship game the Scots brought home their 8th State Championship trophy.
So now a year has passed, the adjustment period is over, the players know what to expect from Coach Pressler. This should be an interesting season to watch. The Scots played two games over the weekend, Cypress United and Strake Jesuit. Winning both games with ease the Scots will face their toughest opponent Saturday at home against Culver Academy, currently ranked number 2 in the country. Face off is noon so don’t be late.
