2012 MBSLA Pre-Season Top 10

Yes, I know we're cheating a little bit since the season has already started.  However, spring break set me back a week and we have a few games to look at in our early season to help come up with our pre-season MBSLA Top 10.  Again, this is a best effort and certainly not definitive.  To come up with our rankings, we looked at last years performance, the number of seniors lost, top scorers and players returning from last year and returning all-conference and all-state performers.  Please feel free to comment on the rankings and let us know why we're right or why we're wrong.

MBSLA Pre-season Top 10: 

1.  Delano - Last year we predicted Delano would make a big jump into the top echelon of the MBSLA, and we were right.  Delano finished the regular season undefeated and lost out in the MBSLA final four to eventual state runner-up and perennial title contender St. Louis Park.  This year, we think they'll make the final jump to #1.  Delano loses All-State performers in defenseman Jake Breig and Colton Homberger to graduation but return coach of the year Dan Willette along with All-State attackman senior Chase Willette and leading scorer and 1st team all-conference performer senior midfielder Lucas Anderson.  With the one-two punch of Willette and Anderson along with the return of 2nd team all-conference goalie senior Jack Prinsen, the Rage should be tough to beat in 2012.

2.  MontiQuois - All-State midfielder Thomas Bales and 1st team all-conference midfielder Evan Hesse may be tough for MontiQuois to replace, but they are defending state champions and they do have a historically strong lacrosse program.  Senior All-State Goalie Aaron Job will lead a defense that saw the loss of its two top performers.  With the heavy losses due to graduation, MontiQuois will have to rebuild around leading returning scorers junior Andy Bales, freshman Brady Artwhol (2nd team all-conference), and sophomore Oliver Winsor (2nd team all-conference).  The question will be who will man the defense in front of star goalie Job? 

3.  St. Louis Park -  St. Louis Park is always tough to discount.  In 2011 they came on strong to end the season, defeating undefeated Delano in the playoffs only to fall to MontiQuois in the state championship game.  2012 should be another successful season for St. Louis Park.  The Orioles lose their top three scorers in Art Elmer, Max Bergeron and Connor Shandley and will have to replace a lot of offensive punch.  They're hoping players like leading returning scorer senior Max Sherno and 1st team all-conference senior LSM Sean Berens can lead the way to another playoff run.  Will they have enough depth to replace the scoring punch and defense they lost to graduation?

4.  Hudson - Like Delano a year ago, we think Hudson is primed for a big jump up in the MBSLA this season.  Hudson returns its two top scorers in Luke Ousdigian and Anthony Queener, both all-conference selections a year ago.  The Raiders also return top defensive player Alec Vanasse.  Unlike other top MBSLA teams this season, Hudson returns many of its top players and might be primed to make a big run through the playoffs in 2012.

5.  St. Paul -  St. Paul had another solid season in 2011 finishing with an 8-4 overall record.  As is the case with many of the top MBSLA teams from 2011, the Celts will be losing a lot of their top scorers in 2012 with 1st team all-conference selections Jimmy Paenkhay, Jimmy Francomb and Tony Alexander all graduated.  The defensive side of the field will be led by junior all-conference LSM Andy Broadnax.  St. Paul will be looking for younger players to step up for them in 2012.

6.  St. Cloud North -  St. Cloud North took the North Conference title by beating a senior laden Duluth-Superior team during the regular season on a rain-soaked field in 2011.  With many top performers from that team returning this season, the Knights are primed to do the same in 2012.  The Knights return seniors Christian Murray (attack) and Mike Whitson (midfield), both 1st team all-conference selections.  On defense, the Knights return all-conference LSM Tyler Minkel.  The only question mark for the Knights might be how they'll replace graduated all-conference goalie Alex Halupczok.  If St. Cloud can fill in a few spots lost due to graduation, they'll be primed for another MBSLA North title and a deeper run in the 2012 playoffs.

7.  Duluth-Superior - Duluth-Superior lost a host of talented seniors to graduation and revamped their coaching staff for the 2012 season.  However, this young team, that will likely play several Freshman and perhaps a couple of 8th graders during the season, is in good hands with senior leadership at several positions.  At attack, senior Steven Halver is the leading returning scorer and will put up lots of points along with sophomore Brody Carlson.  On the defensive side of the field, dynamic LSM, senior Matt Mensinger will lead the team.  Both Halver and Mensinger are solid All-State candidates at their positions.  The midfield will be led by seniors Tyler Kolquist and Zach Galo.  Junior goalie T.J. Vallie is in the unenviable position of filling the large shoes of departed goalie Tyler Olson but should be up to the task.  This young team may have some growing pains throughout the year, but should improve as the season progresses and may be able to make a run in the playoffs if everything comes together.

8.  Tartan - Tartan finished the 2011 season with a winning 6-5 record.  Good news for Tartan in 2012 is that leading scorer, junior all-conference performer Mike Friberg will be returning along with the team's second leading scorer attackman Dylan Klooz.  Tartan should be formidable on the offensive side of the ball.  Equally important will be the return of junior defensemen Alex Meyer and Frank Koenig to anchor the defense, both all-conference performers in 2011.  Tartan may be on the rise and may surprise teams this season.  Perennial East Conference leader St. Paul may want to be on the lookout for a resurgent Titans team in 2012.

9.  Brainerd - The #9 slot was a difficult one to pick.  There are several teams in the league that could take this spot.  Brainerd played one of the more difficult schedules in the league last season and finished the year with a 5-8 record.  The Warriors will be looking to improve on that record in 2012.  That might be easier said than done.  With the loss of their two leading scorers due to graduation, senior Mitchell Howieson, the leading returning scorer, will have to step up along with other young scorers.  Most of the defense and goalie will also need to be replaced.  Brainerd has been able to find good athletes to fill their positions and if they can do the same in 2012, they should be able to compete.

10.  Shattuck - St. Mary's - Shattuck - St. Mary's is an enigma.  Last season they finished the year with a perfect record.  Though that meant 4-0.  Yes, they only played 4 games last season and won them all, convincingly.  In 2012, they have 6 games on their schedule.  The Sabres could easily be placed in the #1 slot in the MBSLA.  However, with only 6 games and no chance to play in the playoffs, we put them in the top 10 to acknowledge their strength as a lacrosse team.  The Sabres return 2011 all-conference selections defenseman Brody Decker, FOGO Brett Boeing, and midfielder Matt Mcardle.  If they can get by St. Louis Park in their second game of the season, there's a good chance the Sabres can complete another undefeated season in 2012.  

Honorable Mention:  There are several new teams in 2012.  Generally new teams aren't competitive in their first seasons in the league.  However, a few of these new teams could surprise a people.  Waconia and Northfield have had youth programs for a few years and are building from the bottom up.  Cretin-Derham Hall has historically been a powerful school in athletics and are jumping into lacrosse with an experienced coach.  These might be a few of the new teams to watch in 2012. 

Let's get ready for the 2012 season.  Look for an updated Top 10 as the season progresses.