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 Rapids - 2013 Season Preview

Grand Rapids 2013 Season Preview

High School:  Grand Rapids

Coaches:

Head Coach: Brad Gallop - 4th year
Asst Coach: Jon Richardson - 4th yr

Last Year's Record:   7-6

Returning Starters/Key Returning Players:

Grand Rapids returns 8 starters from last years team.

Key Losses:

Grand Rapids lost several important seniors to graduation from last years team including 1st team all-conference selections midfielder  Brody Geisler and defenseman Zach Brist as well as 2nd team all-conference selections attack Joey Keating and defenseman Zach Grandia.

Key Newcomers:

The varsity team will welcome 3 young up and coming sophomores that spent the previous summer playing lacrosse with the North Coast Jaxx travel team - midfielders Nick Zerfas and Riley Jensen and defenseman Logan Anderson.


Team Strength:

Grand Rapids will rely on strong Goaltending, midfield speed and a veteran attack to find success in 2013.

Games to Watch:

An early game against top ranked St. Louis Park will provide a glimpse of what we can expect from this years Grand Rapids team.  A mid-season battle against conference rival Duluth may determine the outcome of the North Division in 2013.

Season Outlook:

Grand Rapids graduated 5 seniors last year, but expect to be a stronger team, with a handful of seniors along with a core group of juniors and a very good addition of underclassmen that will add speed and goal scoring.   The first test will come out of state, as Grand Rapids opens the season on the road in Omaha, NE and Des Moines, IA April 12-13.