Despite All Odds, First Weekend of Lacrosse Goes On in the North!

Despite a late season blast of nearly a foot of snow in Duluth on Thursday night into Friday, all of the lacrosse games over the weekend were played except for the Friday night game between Duluth and Grand Cities which was postponed.  A lot of lacrosse was played over the weekend with 10 games played over two days.

STMA varsity had a successful trip up to Duluth going home with two victories, one over Red River Valley and one over Grand Cities.  Proctor also had a successful weekend picking up wins over Red River and Grand Cities while dropping one game against Hudson.  In the other Saturday game, the Duluth JV defeated STMA's JV 4-0.

On Sunday, Duluth's varsity squad got off to a great start with two wins.  Early in the day, Duluth

defeated Red River Valley 18-3.  In the marquee matchup of the weekend, #3 ranked Duluth took on #1 ranked and defending state champion Hudson.  Duluth controlled much of the game and came away with a big early season win, 13-4 over Hudson.  On the JV side, Duluth defeated Hudson 6-4.

Look for a new MBSLA Top 10 towards the end of the week.

Coverage of Duluth's MBSLA North Victory over Grand Cities

2013 MBSLA Season Gets Underway...sort of

The 2013 MBSLA season is underway!  Well, sort of.  Late season snow and abnormally cold temperatures have forced many more cancellations and postponements of games than games played.  But, a few teams have been able to play games.

Fargo Warriors (in white) vs. Hellgate Knights in Billings, MT

St. Louis Park began the season as the #1 ranked team in the MBSLA and didn't disappoint with an 11-4 win over Becker.  Duluth, the #5 ranked team in the state, started the season with a bang, defeating STMA at the Husky Stadium dome in St. Cloud 15-0 behind balanced scoring and stifling defense.  They completed the weekend with a scrimmage against St. Cloud North at the Husky Stadium dome on Sunday.  Proctor then played STMA and dropped a close one 9-7.

Three Northern Minnesota teams traveled out of state to find games.  Both Fargo and Grand Cities traveled to Billings to participate in a tournament there.  Fargo proved they're for real and deserve

their spot in the Top 10, going 4-0 in the tournament and defeating defending Montana State Champion Hellgate.  Grand Cities also played well and finished the tournament 2-2.  St. Louis Park participated in the Billings tournament as well.

Finally, Grand Rapids traveled to Omaha, Nebraska to play over the weekend.  No word on how they fared, but they got to play lacrosse and that puts them ahead of most of the MBSLA teams in the state.

Hopefully teams will get a chance to play this weekend after this latest round of snow storms passes though.  Pray for sunshine, warm weather and NO MORE SNOW!!!

Grand Cities Predators - 2013 Season Preview

Grand Cities Predators 2013 Season Preview

High School:  Grand Cities area (The Predators are made up of players from Grand Forks Red River and Grand Forks Central High Schools, East Grand Forks Senior High, and Warren-Alvarado-Olso High School, and South Middle School in Grand Forks)
 

Coaches:

Aaron Cabanaw – 2nd year

Cameron Willox – 2nd year

Brent Lindstrom – 2nd year

Kevin Bartholomew – 1st year

Last Year's Record: 5-12

Key Returning Players:

All of Grand Cities 2012 starters are returning this season led by Tanner Lindstrom (2012 Second Team All North Conference Attack and team scoring leader), Christian Hansen (2012 Second Team All North Conference Mid Fielder and team MVP) and Brady McDonald (2012 All North Conference Honorable Mention Defenseman). Other key contributors for the Predators include: Nick Gaasvig, Jake Dunham, Trey Deck, Christian Hogness, Pete Schirrick, Jake Young, and Tom Twedell. 

Key Losses:

Eric Melland, Corey Saiger, and Coach Kelly Hurt

Key Newcomers:

Coach Cabanaw says, "Nick Erickson and Matt Lunski will bring huge amounts of athletic ability to the club and depth to the midfield position and others like Jake Olson, have picked up the systems really quick and are already working into key positions."  With the addition of the athletic talent and the ability of the kids to pick up the necessary information quickly, Grand Cities is looking to hit the ground running the first game weekend in April.

Team Strength:

Coach Cabanaw says one word, "Confidence."  He continues, "With a majority of the team returning from their first year of competition last year, they know what is ahead of them and are preparing much harder heading into this season."  According to Cabanaw, a few players have changed positions from last year to better use their skills and talents to benefit the team and their success. Goaltending is settled this year with Junior Captain Jake Young and he is assisted by a defensive corps of Sophomore Captain and North Conference Honorable Mention Brady McDonald, Tom Twedell, and Gunner Bowman. Junior Captain Pete Schirrick and Connor Shea have picked up long poles to bolster the already strong defense.

Games to Watch:

 Coach Cabanaw believes, "The rivalry game which is always a game to see comes when we match up against Fargo. This year we host Fargo on May 18^th. Whether it’s during the regular season or in fall ball it always is a good game between the two teams." An important game comes when the Predators travel to Grand Rapids to open up Conference play on April 27^th.   This is also the first time they return to Grand Rapids since last year’s first round state tournament loss.  Grand Forks sees all of their home games as games to watch since these games present a great opportunity to showcase the game of lacrosse to a community that hasn’t had much exposure to the game.

Season Outlook:

With a year or more of competitive lacrosse under most kids belts Grand Cities is looking to build off the experience gained last year, and expect to make an appearance in the state tournament. Coach Cabanaw is excited about the opportunities several of his players have taken advantage of, "This past fall we had a few players that jumped at opportunities to play for other teams including Tanner Lindstrom, Christian Hansen, Nick Gaasvig and Tyler Lindstrom.  We hope that the success these boys had with teams outside the club can carry over when Grand Cities hit’s the field this spring." Coach Cabanaw is also excited about the opportunity to play outside during the weekend of April 13-14 when they head to Billings to take part in a lacrosse tournament there, "The Billings weekend will mark the first time we are able to get outside to play lacrosse. So far this season practices have been held indoors in a hockey arena. Although this isn’t the ideal situation to prepare for a season, the Predators have adjusted well to the circumstances and have done the work necessary to compete. Here’s to a great 2013 season and getting outside before playoffs start!"

Fargo Fall Ball Tournament

Several Northern Minnesota lacrosse teams participated in the 2012 Fargo Fall Ball Tournament in Fargo on October 20-21. Brainerd, Fargo and Grand Cities joined Winnipeg for the first ever Fall lacrosse tournament to take place in Northern Minnesota.

 Brainerd finished as the runner-up in the tournament, losing to Winnipeg in the Championship game. Grand Cities began the tournament with a win over Fargo and then dropped consecutive games against Brainerd and Winnipeg. Congratulations to Winnipeg as the first Fargo Fall Ball Tournament champion! Looking forward to more lacrosse action in the North in the off-season.

Grand Cities Predators - 2012 Northern Minnesota Lacrosse Season Preview

Team:  Grand Cities - comprised of players from Grand Forks Red River and Grand Forks Central High Schools, East Grand Forks Senior High, and Warren-Alvarado-Olso High School, Central Middle School in East Grand Forks, MN and South Middle School in Grand Forks, ND

Coaches: 

Aaron Cabanaw – First year at Grand Cities

Cameron Willox – First year at Grand Cities

Kelly Hurt – First Year at Grand Cities

Brent Lindstrom – First Year at Grand Cities

Last Year's Record: Inaugural Season in 2012

Returning Starters/Key Returning Players:

Tanner Lindstrom (2011 First Team All North Conference Attack and Fargo Warrior scoring leader), Evan Larson, Brady McDonald, Jake Dunham, Christian Hanson, Trey Deck, Christian Hogness, Pete Schirrick, Nick Gaasvig, Jake Young, Tom Twedell, Aaron Sauve, Brandon Johnson, Colton Ramsey, and Tyler Lindstrom. These players all have some level of playing experience either through other programs before coming to Grand Cities or took part in summer clinics and scrimmages last year.

Predators Tanner Lindstrom in gold

Big Games/Games to See:  The biggest game for the season for Grand Cities will be their first game in program history against Duluth-Superior in Duluth on April 14.  The final game of the season against biggest rival, Fargo on May 20 will be the game the Pradators have circled on their calendars.

Season Outlook:  In less than a year, the Grand Cities Predators have grown from a dream to establish lacrosse in the Grand Forks area to a solid team preparing for the start of the 2012 MBSLA season.  Last summer, with the assistance of the University of North Dakota Men’s Club Lacrosse Team, Brent Lindstrom established the Grand Cities Lacrosse Club and the club held two 4 week familiarization clinics that had over 50 kids on the field.  Things progressed with the high school boys continuing practice and took part in a Fall Ball scrimmage against Fargo in October.  

As a new team, the Predators coaches are encouraged by the players who come to the field ready to learn and refine their skills.  The coaching staff feels fortunate to have some experienced players on this new squad but realize they have a lot of work to do to develop the rest of the team.  Team organizer and assistant coach Brent Lindstrom believes that the Predators schedule sets their team up for success.  Lindstrom stated, "If we can be competitive at the beginning of the year and keep pace, I think by the end of the year we will be a contender for a state tournament berth."  Lindstrom also mentioned that the Predators will also take on the task of promoting the sport, both in Grand Forks and beyond to gain support and grow lacrosse in the upper Red River Valley.  

With the new lacrosse program in the Grand Forks area, the boys participating on this inaugural team are proud to be the charter members of the Grand Cities Lacrosse club and look forward to writing the first chapter as a successful chapter in the lacrosse story of the Grand Forks area.

Great Day for Lacrosse in Northern Minnesota!

Grand Cities facing off against Duluth-Superior

Big day of lacrosse in Northern Minnesota!  Historic first games ever for the Proctor and Grand Cities lacrosse clubs.  Duluth-Superior picks up two wins and Grand Rapids beats Rogers to start their season with a big win.  In the final game of the day, Grand Cities squeaked by Proctor in a battle of the two new northern teams with an 8-7 victory in overtime.  Tomorrow in Duluth will be one of the biggest games of the season in the North with two of the favorites for the division title, Duluth and St. Cloud North facing off at Griggs Stadium on the University of Minnesota-Duluth campus.  UMD will also face off against Illinois to make it a lacrosse festival of sorts in Duluth.

Practices in Full Swing Throughout the North

With new teams entering the MBSLA North Division and new youth lacrosse teams also participating in the MBSLA this Spring, lacrosse in the North is as strong as ever.  One of the longest running northern Minnesota lacrosse teams has also revamped their coaching staff for the coming year.  As practices shift into full gear throughout the North, we'll start to look at team schedules and team previews in preparation for the first games of the season on April 14.  We'll also look at can't miss games in the North during the season.

Grand Cities and Proctor are the two new teams in the North in 2012.  Grand Cities is a co-op based team out of the Grand Forks, ND area that includes players from Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, MN and Warren, MN.  Grand Cities head coach is Aaron Cabanaw and he will be assisted by Cameron Willox and Kelly Hurt.  Grand Cities will play their first game on April 14 against Duluth in Duluth, MN.

Proctor will also be competing in the MBSLA North for the first time in 2012.  Initiated by player interest, the team is looking forward to the coming season under the guidance of head coach Steve Lokken.  Those familiar with Lokken, a former St. Johns University attackman, know that he will prepare his team well for their inaugural season.  Proctor opens play against Duluth on April 14 in Duluth, MN.

Another great sign for the growth of the sport in the North is the addition of a 5/6 level team in Duluth that will compete in the Spring MBSLA league in 2012.  The team presently has 25 players on its roster and the interest in the team has been almost overwhelming.  The team will have an 8 game schedule with an additional tournament to be added at the end of the season.  They will have a couple of scrimmages against the new Grand Rapids 5/6 team this Spring.  In another great development for northern Minnesota lacrosse, Grand Rapids will also be fielding a 5/6 team this Spring.  They won't be competing in the MBSLA this season but will be playing a series of scrimmages against other 5/6 teams including Duluth.

Stay tuned for more updates and the Spring lacrosse season in the North unfolds!

Grand Cities Lacrosse Featured on ESPN.com

By Lem Satterfield, ESPNHS

No Distance Too Far

How far will one team go to play lacrosse?

If the team is the Grand Cities Predators, then more than 1,250 miles this season.

Five years ago Brent Lindstrom learned about lacrosse when his son Tanner became interested after watching a game on ESPNU while in Minneapolis for a summer hockey event.

To grow the sport, Brent organized and is an assistant coach with the Grand Cities' Predators Lacrosse team located in Grand Forks, N.D., which will begin its first season of play on April 13.

Their schedule is made up of 16 games -- five at home, six on the road, with a five-game tournament in Grand Rapids, Minn.

The team’s six road games will take them as far away as Providence Academy (Plymouth, Minn.), 306 miles and as close as 80 miles when they play Fargo (N.D.) on May 20.

The Predators are comprised of 17 boys ranging from eighth-to-11th grade from East Grand Forks (Minn.), Warren-Alvarado-Olso (Warren, Minn.), Central Middle School (East Grand Forks, Minn.) and Red River and Central High Schools (Grand Forks, N.D.). The Predators are coached by Aaron Cabanaw, along with assistants Brent Lindstrom, Cameron Willox and Kelly Hurt.

The team brings officials from Minneapolis for each of its home games.

"There is almost no lacrosse background in the area, and the college guys that do know the game are playing for the local college club teams and have their own practices and games," Lindstrom said. "We have to bring our officials in from over 300 miles away in the Minneapolis area and mileage charges are $170 per official each time they come up.”

“Last year in Fargo we played two home games, one on a Friday evening and the other the next day at noon. Two officials, $800 for two games," Lindstrom added.

The Predators play their first game on April 14 against Duluth (Minn.) at Denfield High School (Duluth, Minn.), 267 miles away.

The inaugural Grand Cities Predators are: juniors Jake Dunham, Tanner Lindstrom and Tom Twedell; sophomores Gunnar Bowman, Trey Deck, Nick Gaasvig, Christian Hanson, Christian Hogness, Brandon Johnson, Evan Larson, Pete Schirrick, Aaron Sauve, Tucker Williams, Jake Young and freshman Brady McDonald. Two eighth graders also made the team: Colton Ramsey and Tyler Lindstrom.

Big Changes in MBSLA in 2012

The 2012 lineup of teams in the Minnesota Boys Scholastic Lacrosse Association (MBSLA) looks decidedly different than 2011. The MBSLA is a lacrosse league composed of club lacrosse teams that are not sanctioned varsity sports by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) at their respective schools. The MBSLA has recognized state champions in lacrosse since 2004, two years before the MSHSL sanctioned lacrosse as an official varsity level sport.  The MBSLA also runs the spring leagues for 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 and JV level teams throughout the entire state, including teams that presently participate in the MSHSL.

In another great sign of the growth of the sport of lacrosse in Minnesota, there will be 26 teams competing in the MBSLA in 2012 up from 20 in 2011.  Nine new club lacrosse teams will be participating in the 2012 MBSLA lacrosse season.  This is a great indicator that lacrosse is growing throughout the State of Minnesota.  To emphasize this point, most of the new teams come from areas outside the traditional hotbed of the Twin Cities metro area.

Grand Cities lacrosse players after scrimmage with Fargo

In the North, the new teams include Grand Cities and Proctor.  Grand Cities is made up of players from Grand Forks, ND and East Grand Forks, MN including surrounding communities.  The new Grand Cities team has shown impressive organization and they look to be building their program quickly.  They also have the distinction of being the furthest north and most remote lacrosse team in the MBSLA and state.  The new Proctor team sprouted quickly after a large group of inspired students decided they wanted to form their own team in the Duluth, MN area.  The team now has a coach and a schedule and they are preparing for their first season of club lacrosse in the MBSLA.

In the East, traditional athletic powerhouse Cretin-Derham Hall (Joe Mauers alma mater) makes their entrance onto the Minnesota lacrosse scene.  Cretin-Derham Hall will begin their first season of lacrosse under the direction of experienced lacrosse coach Pat Donaghy.  Henry-Sibley moves from the East conference to the South.

In the South, Henry-Sibley comes in from the East, St. Louis Park comes in from the West, and two new teams make their first foray onto the lacrosse scene.  Waconia, with youth lacrosse teams already participating in youth leagues, will now field their first MBSLA high school lacrosse team.  Northfield also makes their entrance onto the Minnesota lacrosse scene with their first MBSLA team in 2012.

St. Louis Park vs. Hastings 2011

The West conference will see the most growth in 2012 with 4 new lacrosse teams coming on the scene.  St. Michael-Albertville will field their first high school level lacrosse team in 2012.  In 2011, St. Michael-Albertville participated in the MBSLA middle school season.  Rogers will be participating in their first MBSLA season in 2012.  Rogers has also had youth level lacrosse teams participating in the Youth Lacrosse Minnesota leagues.  Becker will be fielding their first MBSLA team in 2012.  The fourth new team in the West conference will be Providence Academy.  2012 will mark Providence Academy's first participation in organized competitive lacrosse.  St. Louis Park, last years state runner-up, will move from the West conference to the South.

While 9 new teams entered the MBSLA, two teams left for the MSHSL for the 2012 season.  Both Orono and Hastings will be fielding their first sanctioned varsity level teams in 2012.  The only other change in the MSHSL in 2012 will be the separation of Eastridge and Park.  Park will now field their own MSHSL team this season.  With the additions of Orono, Hastings and Park, the MSHSL will now have 57 teams.  The only other change in the MBSLA is the elimination of Centennial's club team.  Centennial will still be fielding a varsity level MSHSL team.

Exciting things are happening in lacrosse in Minnesota as the sport continues its meteoric growth in the state.  It will be exciting following the new MBSLA teams this season and also watching Orono and Hastings, two former MBSLA teams, compete in their first MSHSL seasons in 2012.

Fall Ball in the North? Yes, Fargo to Play Grand Forks Predators!

Fargo Warriors to play Grand Forks Predators on Saturday, October 22

New Grand Forks Team to play Fargo Warriors in first-ever match-up of North Dakota high school teams

Fargo, ND, October 15.  The Fargo Lacrosse Club’s (FLC) high school lacrosse – www.fargolacrosse.org – will play the newly-formed Grand Cities high school lacrosse team – www.grandcitieslacrosse.org – as part of the College Lacrosse Showcase being held October 22 and October 23 in Fargo at the Pepsi Complex by Hector Airport.  The schedule is shown below.

FLC President Matt Noah stated, “The genesis of the Grand Cities club has been Tanner Lindstrom from East Grand Forks.  Tanner was a First-Team All-Conference player with the Fargo Warriors this past Spring.  Tanner’s father, Brent, has been instrumental in promoting lacrosse in the Grand Forks area.”  Both Grand Cities and Fargo plan to compete in the Minnesota Boys Scholastic Lacrosse Association (MBSLA) – www.mnlaxhub.com - in 2012 after the Fargo Warriors competed successfully in the MBLSA in 2011.

Admittance is free.  The Warriors and Predators invite all area youth from elementary school to high school to witness the historic first match between the only two high school lacrosse teams in North Dakota.

vs Saturday, October 22, 12:30 pm

Saturday, October 22 10:00 am    - NDSU #1 vs. UND 11:15 am    - Univ of St. Thomas Alumni vs. MSUM Alumni 12:30 pm    - Fargo Warriors HS vs. Grand Forks Predators HS 1:45 pm      - NDSU #2 vs. UND 3:00 pm      - NDSU #1 vs. Univ. of St. Thomas Alumni 4:15 pm      - NDSU #2 vs. MSUM Alumni Sunday, October 23 10:00 am       - Univ. of St. Thomas vs. UND 11:15 am       - NDSU vs. MSUM

The The Fargo Warriors Varsity team is coached by Ben Fairbanks.

Grand Forks Area Skills Familiarization Clinic

The Grand Cities Lacrosse Club in Grand Forks will be offering skills familiarization clinics this July.  Details on the clinics below.

Grand Cities Lacrosse Club

Skills Familiarization Clinic

Looking for players that will be in 6th – 12th grade in the fall of 2011

7 - two hour sessions

Tuesdays and Thursdays

7-28 July 2011

Clinic fee:  $50

All sessions held at:

Lions Park

3211 17th Avenue South

Grand Forks, ND

Learn the skills to play lacrosse!  Clinics will be lead by University of North Dakota Men’s Lacrosse Club members.  Sometimes known as the fastest game on two feet, lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the United States and is taking root in the Upper Red River Valley.  Get involved in the first youth lacrosse program in the Greater Grand Forks area!

For more information about the club or to register on-line for the familiarization clinic, please e-mail us at Grand.Cities.Lacrosse@gmail.com .  You can also check out our Facebook page, search Grand Cities Lacrosse Club.