Two years removed from a girls’ lacrosse State championship run and a dominating season, former Head Coach Mrs. Katie Erbe has taken assumed a new position: assistant. “I’m thrilled to be back coaching and spending my afternoons at Cathedral,” she said.

Erbe is guiding the Irish through a time period in which they lack a head coach. That individual, Mrs. Adrianne Wagner, is out on maternity leave. “I am taking the lead on the field while Coach Wagner is out after having a baby,” she said. Although the assistant role is new for Erbe here, leading the program is nothing out of the ordinary.

“We laid a great foundation a couple years back, and I’m excited to build on the high level of play that has become the Irish standard,” she said, looking to keep the well-oiled machine chugging through the upcoming season.

Due to Erbe’s immediate success and her prestigious reputation in the game of women’s lacrosse, she accepted a job at the collegiate level. “That position didn’t work out as planned, so I had free time in my schedule,” she said. Her connection with underclassmen during her rookie tenure remained.

Erbe said, “I kept up with many of my players while I was gone and even coached some in the off season so I never felt like I was totally ‘away’ from the program.”

As Erbe takes the reins, the future is bright. “We have a talented group this year, and as a coach, I feel like I have a lot to work with. The girls have done a great job so far responding to the things we are trying to implement,” she said.

Despite the fluctuation, the Irish are persevering and thriving during the offseason. “We are getting more and more organized and ready to begin competing against people other than ourselves which is exciting,” she said.

The focus of the season is evident. After dropping the State championship to HSE-Fishers 12-11 in overtime last year, the players are locked in on being competitive and smart in executing coaches’ orders.

Erbe said, “Our goal is always to be the absolute best that we can be every day that we step onto the field.”

The coach preaches effort, saying she “will always push (her) team to play to their potential. If we do that along with having a strong work ethic, the wins will take care of themselves, and I am confident that we will find ourselves back in a position to compete for a State championship.”

Junior Kate Burnside, a freshman on the 2015 State championship team, is grateful to have Erbe back.

“I’m really excited to have someone with as much experience and talent as Katie. I hope she can help us bring home another state championship,” she said.”

Fellow Assistant Coach Mr. Howard Fogel spoke praise, too.

“It’s great to have her back because she (is) great with the kids,” he said, “and It’s great to have someone with her caliber.”

Erbe’s team will take on Anderson (OH) April 7.