Lacrosse love story: Coaches from rival schools match up for first time as husband, wife

Mara Karpp gestured inward and offered a glance at counterpart Dave York.

"That would be 3-0. A 3-0 record."

A playful jab, referencing a pair of recent wins by Fairport girls lacrosse over Penfield, and before that a past Red Raiders victory against Aquinas. Those three games point to the few occasions Karpp, Fairport's head coach, and York, now in the same role at Penfield, have faced off as opposing coaches.

While encounters between Fairport and Penfield in any sport are typically fierce, this year's matchup in girls lacrosse has an added dimension. When the teams meet on Wednesday, Karpp and York will match wits from opposite sidelines, for the first time, as husband and wife.

"It's probably the biggest rivalry for Penfield, and probably the same thing for Fairport," York said. "Adding this dynamic adds more fuel to the fire."

"It's really fun, and our families get into it as well. We'll have friends that come to the game, and they need to pick a side and a rooting interest," Karpp said. "It's competitive and really fun for everybody involved."

From athletes to husband and wife

York is a local product, a graduate of Irondequoit High School where he played boys lacrosse and hockey. Karpp, who's from Long Island, played girls lacrosse for Northport prior to her collegiate career at the University of Rochester.

U of R is where the pair met, when York was a member of the Yellowjackets' men's hockey club team and Karpp competed for the school's Division III women's lacrosse program. Their mutual interest in lacrosse was not immediately evident, but helped strengthen the bond in the weeks and months following the first hello.

"It was kind of a shock to me, I didn't even realize," Karpp said. "But once I knew, it was just another point for us to connect on."

York, who was Aquinas' head coach from 2017 to 2021, also helped Karpp's pursuit of her own coaching career following the latter's graduation from U of R. She was named Fairport's JV coach for the 2018 season and advanced to varsity coach the following year. York, meanwhile, took Penfield's head coaching position prior to the 2022 season.

In July 2022, the two were engaged. After about 1 1/2 years of planning -- and despite two coaches' busy schedules -- Karpp and York married this January in Lake Placid.

While the nuptials didn't include direct references to their shared love of lacrosse, the sport is "a huge part of our life, so it's kind of always in the air." Prior to the wedding, Fairport's players organized a bridal shower and the couple also received a gift from the Penfield players.

While the student-athletes weren't at the wedding as invitees -- requests to look on from afar, even if it meant standing on frozen Mirror Lake, were made -- some former players watched over the newlyweds' dog, a golden retriever named Archie.

"Our players are as invested in us as we are in them, and that's kind of the result of the program's we've built and the commitment of our kids," Karpp said. "That's something we're really proud of."

Balancing act

Life as a coach can serve as, hours-wise, a second full-time job. There's extensive practice hours, film study, planning group activities and more that consume any and all free time.

In a household with two coaches, who share intricate knowledge of their respective teams, their league and Section V lacrosse, constant mind is paid toward separating the couple's coaching passion and personal life.

"One of us might start, kind of off the cuff, talking about something that's going on and the other person will be like, 'Can we not talk about lacrosse? Can we just be here and hang out with our dog?'" Karpp said. "It takes good communication."

That's not to say lacrosse talk is off limits at home. There's also instances, with the rare gift of free time, when one might attend the other's game and notice something from the stands, maybe a strategic component, that's not clearly evident from the sideline.

"We're very supportive of each other. If there's a time one of us needs to talk about a certain situation or needs advice, we don't hesitate to help each other," York said.

"How many people can say that? We really do have each other for problem-solving," Karpp said. "It's quite unique."

The support was on display last spring. After York's young Penfield group bowed out in the Class A section semifinals, he looked on as a fan as Karpp and Fairport won the Section V championship and, later, the program's first New York state title.

During the state title game, York donned apparel of the rival Red Raiders to back his then-fiancee' and her players, many of whom he shared familiarity with.

"I supported them 100% every step of the way," York said. "Being able to be in the stands and talk about the game afterward, it was great. Definitely loved watching them pull it off."

Fairport, Penfield stack up for upcoming matchup

Penfield entered the week of play at 6-3 and 11th in the New York state Class A rankings . Led by sophomore attack Peyton Rothfuss (2023 All-Greater Rochester selection; currently ranks ninth in Section V in goals with 28) and freshman goalie Karis Hand (second team all-league selection in Monroe County last spring), the Patriots' roster leans heavily on underclassmen and should be a force for years to come.

Still, potential implies room for improvement. To take the next step, York hopes to see his team string together some complete games.

"I think we added a lot to our repertoire," York said. "I feel like each year we're getting better. What we're really trying to fine-tune is playing a strong game from start to finish. Sometimes we have a really strong first half and then a weak second, or vice-versa."

That trajectory contrasts Fairport, who lost several crucial players from last season's state title-winning team. Despite that and some in-season injuries this spring, the Red Raiders (now 9-2) remain among the cream of the crop in Class A with Ella Peers and Camryn DuBose among the section's highest-scoring players .

One of Karpp's focuses this season has been to reset expectations after last spring's title run, and she's been pleased with how several players have embraced increased opportunity.

"Coming in, we had to really think about how we were framing this year. Expectations are high, but we don't ever talk about defending our title or repeating," Karpp said. "It's about how we approach the challenge right in front of us, and everyone has really bought in to that."

Considering the strength of the two programs and the amount of Class A competition in Section V, there's a sense of inevitability that a sectional matchup is in the offing -- something Karpp and York have avoided thus far in their coaching careers.

If, and when, that time comes, the pair will lean on lessons learned from years as opposing coaches.

"When Dave accepted the Penfield job, I was a little wary because it's direct competition. I had this thought that if one of us succeeds, the other fails. And that was a hard thing to cope with, not that success is defined by outcome," Karpp said. "I was able to see last year -- and Penfield had a great season last year -- there's joy in seeing your partner succeed. That was something I don't think I really processed early on.

"Let's say we play each other in sectionals this year and we (Fairport) don't move forward, I do have a person in my life that is. And what an amazing opportunity that would be. I think Dave's response to our success really helped re-frame my thinking."

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Lacrosse love story: Coaches from rival schools match up for first time as husband, wife