By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
Tracy Klugerman has been around lacrosse most of here life. She’s also been around West Windsor-Plainsboro High South athletics for quite a while., Now the former Lafayette College star and current West Windsor resident is combining the two in her new role as the Pirates’ head girls lacrosse coach., “I am very exited to be at South,” Klugerman said. “We have a great group of girls and a lot of team spirit. The girls are excited for the season. We’re looking forward to hopefully having an exciting season.”, Klugerman had a standout career at Lafayette, where she is a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame for her play in field hockey and lacrosse. She’s been around the South program as a parent, as her son, Zach, played for the Pirates and graduated last year. Her daughter, Jane, is a member of the current girls lacrosse team and another daughter plays at the middle school level., “I have been involved with the sport my whole life,” Klugerman said. “I played all through high school and at Lafayette College. As a parent, all of my kids play. I have also officiated. So I have been involved as a player and coach. I’ve coached all my kids. I also coached at South a long time ago for a few years. It is exciting to be back., “I have been involved with some of the youth programs. I enjoyed watching my kids play. This opportunity came up and I am excited about it.”, Klugerman will look to bring some stability to the program which has been through a number of coaches in recent years. After going 3-15 a year ago, the Pirates are in a building mode., “My philosophy is we are focused on getting better with our skills and becoming a tight group,” Klugerman said. “I am big into the team work aspect. I just tying to create a nice team that will gel. I would love to be around for a while. I am hoping I can do whatever I can for the program.”, Klugerman was an attack player during her own career. But she knows the value of defense when it comes to winning., “Defense is the key,” she said. “As an attacking player I can appreciate the role of the defense. It is fun to know how to try and break down the defense and do what you have to to score. It gives you a good perspective. You have to be able to play all the positions well to be a successful team.”, The Pirates were scheduled to open the season with Hopewell Valley on Thursday and will host WW-P South today., “It is tough having back to back at the beginning but I think the girls are excited and pumped up and as ready as we’re going to be,” Klugerman said. “I am excited to get started. We were indoors a good bit of the beginning because of the weather. We got out as much as we could and had a few scrimmages, which was nice to see who works well with each other on the field.”
