Duluth-Superior Chargers - 2012 Northern Minnesota Lacrosse Season Preview

Team:  Duluth-Superior Chargers - comprised of players from Duluth East, Duluth Denfeld, Superior, Hermantown, Duluth Marshall, Harbor City International School, and Cloquet high schools.

Coaches: 

Scott Wishart – First year head coach  

Mat Koppang – Third year head junior varsity coach

Alex Rogers – First year

Brandon Nispel – First year

Kyle Limoseth - First year

Mike Vuchetich - Third year

Last Year's Record: 7-2

Returning Starters/Key Returning Players:

Duluth returns a small but extremely vital Senior class. Several key starters at the midfield line, a phenomenal athlete at the LSM position, 3 very talented attackmen and 3 very strong, nice sized defensemen return this year for the Chargers. Junior goalie T.J. Vallie is standing strong early in the season and the Chargers are hoping for a great year from him.

Key Losses:  

Duluth lost a lot of seniors last season including Northern Lights Lacrosse all-conference players Zack Thompson (A), Mike Hillman (M), Nate Pratt (D), Tyler Olson (G), Ian Wiczorek (M) and John Babick (D). 

Key Newcomers:

  

Senior attackman Steven Halver

The Chargers are a very young team in 2012 looking to find contributions even from the middle school level.  With a heavy Freshman and Sophomore class, Duluth is hoping the younger players can step into the up tempo game at the Varsity level.

Big Games/Games to See:  

Duluth has a very big game early in the season with North Conference rival St. Cloud North on April 15th in a game that could determine who takes the #1 seed in the conference. MontiQuois and Delano, two of the top teams in the MBSLA, are also on the schedule in May on the same weekend and should give the Chargers a good idea where they stand in the state prior to entering the playoffs.

Senior LSM Matt Mensinger

Season Outlook:  With a very young squad in 2012, developing a winning team will be a real test of the new coaching staff.  While the team will feature several Freshman and perhaps even a couple of 8th graders as the season progresses, the Chargers can count on the leadership of a very strong group of seniors led by potential all-state players attackman Steven Halver and LSM Matt Mensinger.  The midfield line will be anchored by seniors Zach Galo and Tyler Kolquist.  Coach Wishart is excited to get the season rolling. "With the practices held thus far, it is exciting to see the development and improvement out of the players. It is going to be a fun year to watch the progress of this Duluth Superior lacrosse team."  How much this team progresses will determine how far they will go in the playoffs.  With the strong core of seniors, capable coaching staff and young up and coming players, the Chargers should still be a force to be reckoned with in the North Conference and should compete for the North Conference title again in 2012.