Some pretty sweet highlights from the 2012 NCAA lacrosse season
June 6, 2012
June 3, 2012
May 27, 2012
Lacrosse Continues to Get Bigger in Minnesota
Carrying a bigger stick
Waiting for his chance to be a part of the game, Aaron Propson paid
close attention to the whereabouts of the ball during the Eagan High
School playoff opener Wednesday. With his stick in the air and his
helmet fastened to his chin, he patrolled the endlines for anything
heading his direction.
Opportunities for action were limited, but he didn't care. Propson
was one of four seventh- and eighth-graders in the Eagan youth lacrosse
program eagerly offering services to be a ball shagger.
"I want to be out there one day," the 12-year-old said, looking onto the field of varsity athletes.
Propson's passion for lacrosse mirrors a growing trend in communities throughout Minnesota. Fueled by elementary school and junior high youngsters choosing it over pastimes such as baseball and softball, the sport -- still somewhat unfamiliar to the masses -- is one of the fastest-growing in America.
Minnesota is among the states leading the way. A 2011 study conducted by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association said participation nationally increased 218 percent in the past decade. Minnesota membership growth in U.S. Lacrosse, the sport's national governing body, ranks ninth.
At the state's high school level over the past 10 years, boys' and girls' varsity participation jumped from 61 to 154 teams, according to the Lax Hub.
"We're way up there," said Jenni Lorsung, president of Youth Lacrosse of Minnesota. "Our lowest growth year was 13 percent. And there have been years we've had 25 percent growth in the boys' level."
Grass-roots growth
Preparing himself for a first-round playoff rout, Simley boys' coach Garnet Asmundson explained why his Inver Grove Heights program, which relies on players groomed while in high school, is still "light years" behind the likes of neighboring schools in Eagan, Apple Valley and Rosemount.
"The program is still in its infancy stages," Asmundson said. "You've got to build from the youth up, and we're doing it in the opposite way, and that's tough."
While the sport's popularity has boosted high school team numbers,
newcomers are struggling to keep up with the more experienced and rooted
programs, such as Blake. The void isn't that large, though, argues
Blake interim boys' coach Chris Garland.
As more knowledgeable coaches and referees surround the game, players are learning at an accelerated pace. Garland said the foundations of the sport -- running, passing, catching -- aren't much different than other sports, and kids are enticed by the fast pace.
"It's an easy game to learn," said Garland, who played NCAA Division III lacrosse at Hampden-Sydney College (Va.). "The concepts are so easy, so once you apply them from other sports, it's just a great sport to play."
Growth in Minnesota has been nurtured over the past eight years by Homegrown Lacrosse, a local nonprofit organization that formed in 2004 to raise awareness and help develop programs with "grass-roots'' training. This sort of guidance has matured the metro area into a regular producer of college talent.
"With more and more associations getting stronger and developing, [participation] numbers are continuing to rise," said Colin Achenbach, co-founder of Homegrown Lacrosse. "And the high schools are a testament to that the skill level of lacrosse in the metro area is increasing. The competition and parity is stronger across the state."
The Minnesota State High School League has acknowledged this improvement by continually sanctioning more teams. Its website lists 57 boys' teams and 63 girls' teams. The MSHSL first sanctioned a lacrosse state tournament in 2007. Next year the league will add four new sections and expand the state tournament to eight teams.
Where are they coming from?
Which stick to pick was an overwhelming decision for Eagan senior Mack Nelson. He approached high school with backgrounds in baseball and lacrosse, both spring sports.
"For me, lacrosse is more exciting of a game," Nelson said about his choice. "It's more fun. ... It's more up-tempo."
Baseball has apparently suffered the most, as youth are beginning to pick lacrosse over baseball for spring and summer activities. The Eagan Athletic Association has seen a decline of its youth baseball numbers with the new rival sport in the mix.
High school baseball coaches are starting to address concerns about losing depth and quality players. For example, baseball has typically attracted hockey players who now might see lacrosse functioning as a better cross-training fit. There's also lacrosse's appeal as more fun or social, another issue baseball programs have begun to address.
"Our numbers have not been hampered enough by lacrosse so far, but I am seeing a trend and a correlation that I don't like, and it makes me nervous," Elk River baseball coach Ryan Holmgren said.
At Shattuck-St. Mary's, baseball coach Michael Carpentier said numbers have been down the past five years as a direct effect of lacrosse.
"Lacrosse is fun, physical, and takes athleticism to compete," he
said. "But it certainly is taking many talented athletes off of the
baseball diamond."
The universal athletic concepts of lacrosse have attracted kids from all sports. Blake sophomore standout Lydia Sutton has put varsity soccer on the back burner of her athletic focus. Eagan's Calvin Lamb did the same to football.
Propson and his three friends all picked lacrosse over baseball. It was an easy decision for them.
"There is a lot more action," 13-year-old Joey Hofmann said about his new favorite sport. "I was [a baseball player] until I played lacrosse. I didn't like standing around."
05/26/2012, 1:29am (CDT)
By Jason Gonzalez, Star Tribune
Efforts to cultivate growth have succeeded, as lacrosse has quickly gained traction
"I want to be out there one day," the 12-year-old said, looking onto the field of varsity athletes.
Propson's passion for lacrosse mirrors a growing trend in communities throughout Minnesota. Fueled by elementary school and junior high youngsters choosing it over pastimes such as baseball and softball, the sport -- still somewhat unfamiliar to the masses -- is one of the fastest-growing in America.
Minnesota is among the states leading the way. A 2011 study conducted by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association said participation nationally increased 218 percent in the past decade. Minnesota membership growth in U.S. Lacrosse, the sport's national governing body, ranks ninth.
At the state's high school level over the past 10 years, boys' and girls' varsity participation jumped from 61 to 154 teams, according to the Lax Hub.
"We're way up there," said Jenni Lorsung, president of Youth Lacrosse of Minnesota. "Our lowest growth year was 13 percent. And there have been years we've had 25 percent growth in the boys' level."
Grass-roots growth
Preparing himself for a first-round playoff rout, Simley boys' coach Garnet Asmundson explained why his Inver Grove Heights program, which relies on players groomed while in high school, is still "light years" behind the likes of neighboring schools in Eagan, Apple Valley and Rosemount.
"The program is still in its infancy stages," Asmundson said. "You've got to build from the youth up, and we're doing it in the opposite way, and that's tough."
As more knowledgeable coaches and referees surround the game, players are learning at an accelerated pace. Garland said the foundations of the sport -- running, passing, catching -- aren't much different than other sports, and kids are enticed by the fast pace.
"It's an easy game to learn," said Garland, who played NCAA Division III lacrosse at Hampden-Sydney College (Va.). "The concepts are so easy, so once you apply them from other sports, it's just a great sport to play."
Growth in Minnesota has been nurtured over the past eight years by Homegrown Lacrosse, a local nonprofit organization that formed in 2004 to raise awareness and help develop programs with "grass-roots'' training. This sort of guidance has matured the metro area into a regular producer of college talent.
"With more and more associations getting stronger and developing, [participation] numbers are continuing to rise," said Colin Achenbach, co-founder of Homegrown Lacrosse. "And the high schools are a testament to that the skill level of lacrosse in the metro area is increasing. The competition and parity is stronger across the state."
The Minnesota State High School League has acknowledged this improvement by continually sanctioning more teams. Its website lists 57 boys' teams and 63 girls' teams. The MSHSL first sanctioned a lacrosse state tournament in 2007. Next year the league will add four new sections and expand the state tournament to eight teams.
Where are they coming from?
Which stick to pick was an overwhelming decision for Eagan senior Mack Nelson. He approached high school with backgrounds in baseball and lacrosse, both spring sports.
"For me, lacrosse is more exciting of a game," Nelson said about his choice. "It's more fun. ... It's more up-tempo."
Baseball has apparently suffered the most, as youth are beginning to pick lacrosse over baseball for spring and summer activities. The Eagan Athletic Association has seen a decline of its youth baseball numbers with the new rival sport in the mix.
High school baseball coaches are starting to address concerns about losing depth and quality players. For example, baseball has typically attracted hockey players who now might see lacrosse functioning as a better cross-training fit. There's also lacrosse's appeal as more fun or social, another issue baseball programs have begun to address.
"Our numbers have not been hampered enough by lacrosse so far, but I am seeing a trend and a correlation that I don't like, and it makes me nervous," Elk River baseball coach Ryan Holmgren said.
At Shattuck-St. Mary's, baseball coach Michael Carpentier said numbers have been down the past five years as a direct effect of lacrosse.
The universal athletic concepts of lacrosse have attracted kids from all sports. Blake sophomore standout Lydia Sutton has put varsity soccer on the back burner of her athletic focus. Eagan's Calvin Lamb did the same to football.
Propson and his three friends all picked lacrosse over baseball. It was an easy decision for them.
"There is a lot more action," 13-year-old Joey Hofmann said about his new favorite sport. "I was [a baseball player] until I played lacrosse. I didn't like standing around."
May 16, 2012
MBSLA Top 10 May 14
Big game of the week will be Wednesday to see who will win the East Division in a match up of the top two teams Tartan and Hudson. Both tied at #5 this week. The match up should determine the #1 seed for the playoffs from the East.
MBSLA Top 10 May 14:
May 14, 2012
Lacrosse Has Staying Power in Duluth
With burgeoning participation numbers, lacrosse showing staying power in Duluth area
Cooper Carlson has seen lacrosse’s image change the past couple of years. The Duluth East sophomore says there’s more talk about the sport at school and more students show up at Duluth-Superior Chargers games.
By: Rick Weegman, Duluth News Tribune
Cooper Carlson has seen lacrosse’s image change the past couple of years. The Duluth East sophomore says there’s more talk about the sport at school and more students show up at Duluth-Superior Chargers games.
“It’s a lot more popular this year,” he said. “More people are asking about what the rules are, how we play it and when we have games.”
Carlson,
a midfielder in his second year of participating for the Chargers’ boys
club team, hopes the sport eventually grows from the club level to
become a high school varsity offering.
“I’d love to see it as a varsity sport before I graduate, but that’s kind of far-fetched,” he said. “It just started getting big in the last year.”
Carlson hopes his younger brother, seventh-grader Wyatt, will have that opportunity in the future.
Lacrosse’s popularity with the youth is such that Duluth Denfeld athletic director Tom Pearson says it’s an inevitable outcome.
“I don’t think it’s a question of ‘if’ but a question of ‘when,’ ” Pearson said last week. “The first question we’re going to ask is, ‘Do we have the numbers of Duluth public school students to run a varsity lacrosse program?’ ”
The local lacrosse association has yet to devise a long-term plan for taking that step. The Chargers, a member of the Minnesota Boys Scholastic Lacrosse Association, are comprised of 108 players in grades 5-12 from six area school systems. A spinoff club team in the East school district, where a preponderance of players reside, is the most likely first move.
“Probably the next step for us is to stay in the club division and form a third high school-level club team in the Twin Ports,” Chargers first-year president Brad Mackinaw said, referring to a Proctor club team that began this spring.
With Duluth schools facing budget crunches and potential layoffs, adding a sport would be a hard sell right now.
“The big question always is money,” Mackinaw said. “How are they going to come up with the money to afford that and how are they going to come up with the resources in an environment where they are getting their budgets cut?”
The Chargers operate on a $17,000-a-year budget, of which $7,500 is paid to the district to rent Public Schools Stadium for practices and games. That budget does not factor in transportation costs — players are required to find their own way to home and road games. Approximately 90 percent of the budget comes from players, who pay $300 up front. That budget would increase greatly as a varsity sport, considering road games usually would require a trip to the Twin Cities area.
Pearson equates the situation to when Duluth added soccer in the early 1990s. At that time, the district said the sport’s proponents needed to fund-raise a certain dollar amount and then re-examined it in later years to see if interest was still there. Start-up money needs to be there before the district agrees it’s a viable option, Pearson says.
“With the funding right now, we’re not going to be in a position to say, ‘We’re going to add a $25,000 program, or whatever that number turns out to be, to the school district,’” he said.
Other factors must be considered as well, including Title IX issues and competitive play.
Federal law stipulates equal opportunities exist for boys and girls programs if the interest is there.
But at the moment, the girls’ club program, the Nighthawks, doesn’t have nearly the same numbers as the Chargers so that probably wouldn’t be an impediment to adding a boys program.
Whether a Duluth team could compete against Twin Cities suburban schools that have a longer lacrosse history and much deeper youth programs is a legitimate question.
“The majority of our players started playing in the eighth or ninth grade,” Mackinaw said. “When you go to schools like Eden Prairie and Eagan and Benilde-St. Margaret’s — schools that dominate lacrosse — a lot of those kids first pick up a stick in the fourth or fifth grade. Do we want to jump to the next level of competition, knowing that we’re not going to be competitive in that situation? Those are questions we haven’t resolved yet.”
Chargers coach Scott Wishart, a former Minnesota Duluth player, doesn’t believe jumping up a level is the immediate answer.
“Right now we’re pretty new compared to a lot of programs from the Cities, especially if we were to split all our talents among the high schools,” Wishart said. “Those other teams have had club lacrosse for many years and playing varsity-level lacrosse for five or six years. They’re very developed in the Cities. It will take some time for this program to catch up.”
Even by drawing talented fall and winter sports athletes, local lacrosse teams would be hard-pressed to find similar depth as more advanced rivals.
“There are very good teams throughout the state that are in club-level lacrosse,” Wishart said. “As far as the sake of our sport, right now, we should continue to proceed at this pace and keep developing players.
“It’s something we’re going to have to wait out and keep working on. Until we can have a larger interest and more players out here, I would think we’re in (a club level) for a few years at least.”
Cooper Carlson has seen lacrosse’s image change the past couple of years. The Duluth East sophomore says there’s more talk about the sport at school and more students show up at Duluth-Superior Chargers games.
By: Rick Weegman, Duluth News Tribune
Cooper Carlson has seen lacrosse’s image change the past couple of years. The Duluth East sophomore says there’s more talk about the sport at school and more students show up at Duluth-Superior Chargers games.
“It’s a lot more popular this year,” he said. “More people are asking about what the rules are, how we play it and when we have games.”
 |
| #5 Cooper Carlson |
“I’d love to see it as a varsity sport before I graduate, but that’s kind of far-fetched,” he said. “It just started getting big in the last year.”
Carlson hopes his younger brother, seventh-grader Wyatt, will have that opportunity in the future.
Lacrosse’s popularity with the youth is such that Duluth Denfeld athletic director Tom Pearson says it’s an inevitable outcome.
“I don’t think it’s a question of ‘if’ but a question of ‘when,’ ” Pearson said last week. “The first question we’re going to ask is, ‘Do we have the numbers of Duluth public school students to run a varsity lacrosse program?’ ”
The local lacrosse association has yet to devise a long-term plan for taking that step. The Chargers, a member of the Minnesota Boys Scholastic Lacrosse Association, are comprised of 108 players in grades 5-12 from six area school systems. A spinoff club team in the East school district, where a preponderance of players reside, is the most likely first move.
“Probably the next step for us is to stay in the club division and form a third high school-level club team in the Twin Ports,” Chargers first-year president Brad Mackinaw said, referring to a Proctor club team that began this spring.
With Duluth schools facing budget crunches and potential layoffs, adding a sport would be a hard sell right now.
“The big question always is money,” Mackinaw said. “How are they going to come up with the money to afford that and how are they going to come up with the resources in an environment where they are getting their budgets cut?”
The Chargers operate on a $17,000-a-year budget, of which $7,500 is paid to the district to rent Public Schools Stadium for practices and games. That budget does not factor in transportation costs — players are required to find their own way to home and road games. Approximately 90 percent of the budget comes from players, who pay $300 up front. That budget would increase greatly as a varsity sport, considering road games usually would require a trip to the Twin Cities area.
Pearson equates the situation to when Duluth added soccer in the early 1990s. At that time, the district said the sport’s proponents needed to fund-raise a certain dollar amount and then re-examined it in later years to see if interest was still there. Start-up money needs to be there before the district agrees it’s a viable option, Pearson says.
“With the funding right now, we’re not going to be in a position to say, ‘We’re going to add a $25,000 program, or whatever that number turns out to be, to the school district,’” he said.
Other factors must be considered as well, including Title IX issues and competitive play.
Federal law stipulates equal opportunities exist for boys and girls programs if the interest is there.
But at the moment, the girls’ club program, the Nighthawks, doesn’t have nearly the same numbers as the Chargers so that probably wouldn’t be an impediment to adding a boys program.
Whether a Duluth team could compete against Twin Cities suburban schools that have a longer lacrosse history and much deeper youth programs is a legitimate question.
“The majority of our players started playing in the eighth or ninth grade,” Mackinaw said. “When you go to schools like Eden Prairie and Eagan and Benilde-St. Margaret’s — schools that dominate lacrosse — a lot of those kids first pick up a stick in the fourth or fifth grade. Do we want to jump to the next level of competition, knowing that we’re not going to be competitive in that situation? Those are questions we haven’t resolved yet.”
Chargers coach Scott Wishart, a former Minnesota Duluth player, doesn’t believe jumping up a level is the immediate answer.
“Right now we’re pretty new compared to a lot of programs from the Cities, especially if we were to split all our talents among the high schools,” Wishart said. “Those other teams have had club lacrosse for many years and playing varsity-level lacrosse for five or six years. They’re very developed in the Cities. It will take some time for this program to catch up.”
Even by drawing talented fall and winter sports athletes, local lacrosse teams would be hard-pressed to find similar depth as more advanced rivals.
“There are very good teams throughout the state that are in club-level lacrosse,” Wishart said. “As far as the sake of our sport, right now, we should continue to proceed at this pace and keep developing players.
“It’s something we’re going to have to wait out and keep working on. Until we can have a larger interest and more players out here, I would think we’re in (a club level) for a few years at least.”
May 7, 2012
Grand Rapids Tournament a Huge Success
The lacrosse tournament in Grand Rapids continues to grow and get better each year. In 2012 42 teams competed in 5 divisions and there were over 800 kids participating. Teams from Canada, northern Minnesota and the Twin Cities all traveled to Grand Rapids to compete.
All tie games were determined by braveheart which resulted in several exciting finishes and cheers that could be heard on the other side of the golf course where the games are played. An all team photo and hole shoot were fun events and many teams got together for dinner after Saturdays games.
Northern teams fared well, with the Duluth-Superior 7/8 team finishing the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record and championship in that division. The offense was clicking the entire tournament for the Duluth team who scored double digit goals in every game they played.
The Grand Rapids Shootout is turning into one of the premier lacrosse events in the state of Minnesota. The Grand Rapids lacrosse program should be commended for a job very well done. Teams are already looking forward to next year.
 |
| 7/8 Champions Duluth-Superior Chargers |
Northern teams fared well, with the Duluth-Superior 7/8 team finishing the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record and championship in that division. The offense was clicking the entire tournament for the Duluth team who scored double digit goals in every game they played.
The Grand Rapids Shootout is turning into one of the premier lacrosse events in the state of Minnesota. The Grand Rapids lacrosse program should be commended for a job very well done. Teams are already looking forward to next year.
May 2, 2012
Minnesota-Duluth Claims Their 15th UMLC Championship
Minnesota-Duluth Claims Their 15th UMLC Championship
From LaxPower
On Sunday, April 29, the Bulldogs faced off with Mankato State University at the Concordia University's Sea Foam Dome in St. Paul, Minnesota for the UMLC Division 1 semifinal round of the play-off tournaments. The game started at 10:45 am after the deciding game of MSU versus Iowa State University the evening before.
The Bulldogs started off incredibly strong in the first quarter against MSU, leading 4-0 by the time the clock read 5:37 with a goal made by UMD's Alex McNamara (#10, Apple Valley, MN). Kevin Gaydos (#6, Lino Lakes, MN) added to UMD's score around 2:38 on the clock. McNamara couldn't hold himself to only one goal, so he attacked the net again at the end of the first quarter, leaving the score 6-0 in favor of the Bulldogs.
Head Coach Frank Clark commented "We had been focusing on dictating the tempo and the guys came out today and did just that"
Drake Peterson (#15, Terrence, OH) came out swinging at the beginning of the second quarter, for his first goal of the game. The Bulldogs continued to be on an unstoppable hot streak and really working as a team. Through this team work, UMD's midfielder Matt Murphy (#21, Eden Prairie, MN), midfielder Stan Drutowski (#28, Rosemount, MN) and McNamara (#10) all put their efforts into the net, putting the score at 10-0 before the second half was even half over.
UMD hit a snag in their sweeping game, receiving a penalty and playing one man down. The defense held strong. Directly following the penalty attackman Tyler Lorinser (#16, Chaska, MN) made his shot count, putting the Bulldogs up 11-0. McNamara (#10) and Lorinser (#16) continued to have a hot shooting streak with both making another goal, along with Drutowski (#28). By the end of the first half, the Bulldogs led unchallenged with a score of 15-0.
The third quarter continued to smile upon the Bulldogs. Gaydos (#6) got the ball rolling at the start of the third quarter, quickly followed by attack Neal Pester (#33, Savage, MN). Mankato suffered a penalty a little later in the third; giving the Bulldogs a man-up opportunity for 30 seconds and Pester (#33) decided to take advantage with another goal for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs would end up having thirteen different players in the point's column. MSU would break through in the fourth quarter and score a couple of goals against the Dogs, but in the end, it was the Bulldogs who reigned supreme. The final score for MSU versus UMD was 26 – 2.
With the first win under their belts, UMD now headed into the championship game against none other than their infamous rivals of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Golden Gophers. The Gophers had advanced as the three seed defeating Saint Cloud State and Marquette University along the way. The championship game took place on Sunday, April 29 at the Sea Foam Dome at noon.
The Bulldogs really started to click together in the second quarter. Alex McNamara (#10) got the ball rolling as he made his first goal against the Gophers' goalie. Midfielder Justin Vossen (#18, Apple Valley, MN) and Drake Peterson (#15) would soon follow suit with goals of their own. The Gophers started to make their mark with their first goal at the end of the second quarter by their attack man Jack Buckley (#44). The Bulldogs held the lead at the half 4-1.
Go to LaxPower for the second half of the article.
April 30, 2012
MBSLA Top 10 April 30, 2012
In the big game of the week, Delano proved that they are the unquestioned power in the MBSLA this year with their 12-4 shellacking of #4 Hudson. Delano remains undefeated while Hudson still looks good with only one loss.
Shakopee also continued their ascension in the polls with a big 4-3 victory over perennial powerhouse St. Louis Park. Shakopee is undefeated while SLP dropped precipitously in the polls from #2 to #6. Both of St. Louis Parks losses have come to top 10 teams and they still remain a very tough team.
Duluth continues it winning ways, completing the week without a loss. Duluth defeated rival Grand Rapids in a hard fought 6-3 game, as well as Brainerd 12-4 and Rogers 8-5. Duluth moved up one spot in the polls, and with a 7-1 record could rise higher. However, Duluth will need to prove its worth in the coming weeks as their strength of schedule goes way up and they play some much stronger teams than they have in the early weeks.
Defending champion MontiQuois move up one spot to #2 with a good win over top North team St. Cloud North. St. Cloud North drops two spots in the poll to #7 after the loss.
Enigma Shattuck-St. Mary's remains at #10, where we'll keep them the entire year most likely, even though they probably have one of the top two teams in the MBSLA. However, with only a 6 game schedule and no chance at the MBSLA playoffs their ranking is inconsequential.
Below is our MBSLA Top 10 for April 30, 2012:
April 29, 2012
UMD Tops Minnesota for UMLC Championship
The Bulldogs once again emerge victorious in the UMLC league championship game with a 9-4 victory over University of Minnesota. With the league championship game win, UMD earns an automatic qualifier into the MCLA national champioship tournament in Greenville, SC.
The Bulldogs made it to the league championship game on the strength of their 26-2 win over Minnesota State Mankato on Saturday. UMD was led by Alex McNamara and Ryan Butts who both scored 4 goals and had 3 assists.
The Gophers entered the championship game after defeating Marquette 12-3. In the championship game victory, the Bulldogs were led by Drake Peterson with 3 goals. Alex McNamara and Ben Blaeser added 2 goals apiece while Justin Vossen and Kevin Gaydos each added a goal and an assist and Matt Murphy added an assist. Goalie Joey Slattery had 12 saves.
The Bulldogs now prepare to head to Greenville, SC on May 14 for the start of the MCLA National Championships.
The Bulldogs made it to the league championship game on the strength of their 26-2 win over Minnesota State Mankato on Saturday. UMD was led by Alex McNamara and Ryan Butts who both scored 4 goals and had 3 assists.
The Gophers entered the championship game after defeating Marquette 12-3. In the championship game victory, the Bulldogs were led by Drake Peterson with 3 goals. Alex McNamara and Ben Blaeser added 2 goals apiece while Justin Vossen and Kevin Gaydos each added a goal and an assist and Matt Murphy added an assist. Goalie Joey Slattery had 12 saves.
The Bulldogs now prepare to head to Greenville, SC on May 14 for the start of the MCLA National Championships.
April 26, 2012
North Coast Jaxx Summer Travel Team
The North Coast Jaxx is a new summer travel team based in the Duluth area. This new team will compete at the U16 level and will work with the Minnesota Jaxx, a well-established and successful select lacrosse program in the Twin Cities metro area. This will be the first summer travel lacrosse team opportunity ever in Northern Minnesota and will hopefully be a catalyst for more growth of the game in the Northern part of the state.
WHO: The team will be open to any Northern Minnesota lacrosse player and will be composed primarily of players from the Duluth area, Grand Rapids and other Northern Minnesota lacrosse communities like Brainerd and St. Cloud. Tryouts and practices will be held in the Duluth area. This means it
will primarily be open to current 9th and 8th graders. There may
also be a few Sophomores that would meet the U16 age requirements. The cutoff for this team for 2012 would be players born on or after 9/1/1995.
WHEN: Try out date is set for 2:45 p.m. Saturday, May 12
at Public Schools Stadium in Duluth, MN. Try outs will be
approximately 2 hours long and will be held after the 7/8 lacrosse games
are played in Duluth. There is NO COST to try out. All experienced Northern Minnesota lacrosse players in the U16 age category are encouraged to try out. Registration form and waiver must be completed before tryouts.
Online registration form for tryouts can be found HERE
At a minimum, 20 players will be selected to fill the roster.
SCHEDULE: The team will participate in two summer tournaments and the Homegrown Summer League in the Twin Cities.
June 15-17 - Star of the North Games lacrosse tournament, Rochester, MN - High School Junior Varsity division
July 27-29 - Cherry Bomb Lacrosse Tournament, Traverse City, MI - High School "B" division
Homegrown Summer League - 8 game season starting the week of June 11 and ending the week of August 6. The team will have the option of playing once per week during that period or doubleheaders every other week to reduce the amount of travel down to the Twin Cities for league games. Practices will likely be twice per week.
COST: The North Coast Jaxx will make every effort to keep costs as low as
possible. The primary goal of the North Coast Jaxx is to create more
off-season lacrosse opportunities for players and grow the game in Northern Minnesota. The player fee will simply cover the costs to participate. This is entirely a non-profit endeavor.
To ensure that all players will be able to participate, the North Coast Jaxx will offer
fundraising opportunities for players to help cover their player fee.
These opportunities will be announced as they arise. Please contact the North Coast Jaxx if you're interested in fundraising opportunities to help cover your player fee.
CONTACT: Andy Holak will be the team manager. Interested players can email the North Coast Jaxx at trailrunners@gmail.com for more information.
Additional information and updates can be found on the North Coast Jaxx webpage
Updates can also be found on the North Coast Jaxx Facebook page.
April 25, 2012
April 24, 2012
Duluth Player Nominated for STX Player of the Week
 |
| Steven Halver |
April 23, 2012
MBSLA Top 10 After Week 1
Some big games on the horizon in the MBSLA this week: St. Cloud North vs. MontiQuois - how strong is the North's top team?; Tartan vs. Cretin-Derham Hall - can Tartan maintain their momentum against upstart CDH?; Duluth vs. Grand Rapids - can Grand Rapids upset rival Duluth with their senior led squad?; Delano vs. Hudson - can Hudson compete with the clear top team in the state?; St. Louis Park vs. Shakopee - was Shakopee's jump into the top 10 warranted? This game should let us know.
MBSLA Top 10:
1. Delano
2. St. Louis Park
3. MontiQuois
4. Hudson
5. St. Cloud North
6. Shakopee
7. Tartan
8. St. Paul
9. Duluth-Superior
10. Shattuck-St. Mary's
Honorable Mention: Brainerd, Grand Rapids
MN Lax Hub Top 10 - April 22, 2012
MBSLA State Rankings | April 22, 2012
| RANK | TEAM | 2012 RECORD | PREV. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Delano Delano | Rage |
2-0 | 1 | |
| 2. | Shattuck-St. Mary's Shattuck-St. Mary's | Sabres |
2-0 | 2 | |
| 3. | MontiQuois MontiQuois |
0-1 | 3 | |
| 4. | St. Louis Park St. Louis Park | Orioles |
1-1 | 5 | |
| 5. | Hudson Hudson | Raiders |
1-0 | 6 | |
| 6. | St. Cloud North St. Cloud North | Knights |
2-0 | 7 | |
| 7. | Shakopee Shakopee | Sabers |
3-0 | 8 | |
| 8. | St. Paul St. Paul | Celts |
1-1 | 4 | |
| 9. | Duluth Duluth | Chargers |
4-1 | 9 | |
| 10. | Tartan Tartan | Titans |
1-1 | NR |
April 22, 2012
Proctor Rails - 2012 Northern Minnesota Lacrosse Season Preview
High School: Proctor High School
Coaches: Head Coach- Steve Lokken - 1st year at Proctor
Last Year's Record: new team in 2012
Big Games/Games to See: Proctor's first game of the season April 14 against local rival Duluth-Superior should be the big game of the year for the new team.
Season Outlook: Proctor is a brand new team in 2012. The team was formed by a group of inspired and determined students wanting to build a new lacrosse program in the Proctor community. The team perservered and created a club program to compete in the 2012 season with assistance from the Duluth-Superior club. With some talented young lacrosse players, the team will grow as the season progresses under the guidance of coach Steve Lokken. Wins may be hard to come by, as they are for all first year programs, but Proctor can be certain that the initiative shown by a group of young men who wanted to play lacrosse for their school will be rewarded with knowledge they are the pioneers of a new program in the North that will grow and win in the future.
Coaches: Head Coach- Steve Lokken - 1st year at Proctor
Last Year's Record: new team in 2012
Big Games/Games to See: Proctor's first game of the season April 14 against local rival Duluth-Superior should be the big game of the year for the new team.
Season Outlook: Proctor is a brand new team in 2012. The team was formed by a group of inspired and determined students wanting to build a new lacrosse program in the Proctor community. The team perservered and created a club program to compete in the 2012 season with assistance from the Duluth-Superior club. With some talented young lacrosse players, the team will grow as the season progresses under the guidance of coach Steve Lokken. Wins may be hard to come by, as they are for all first year programs, but Proctor can be certain that the initiative shown by a group of young men who wanted to play lacrosse for their school will be rewarded with knowledge they are the pioneers of a new program in the North that will grow and win in the future.
St. Cloud North - 2012 Northern Minnesota Lacrosse Season Preview
High School: St. Cloud North (Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud Apollo)
Coaches: Head Coach- Tyler Safranek, 3 years at St. Cloud North
Last Year's Record: 5-3
Returning Starters/Key Returning Players: junior attackman Andrew Lindmeier, senior attackman Michael Whitson, defenseman Tyler Minkel, FOGO Christian Murray
Key Losses: Goalie Alex Hoalupczak
Big Games/Games to See: Knights vs. Duluth on April 15 for what might determine the North Conference championship (note: Knights defeated Duluth by one goal)
Season Outlook: With several key returning players for the Knights, they clearly are the favorite to win the North Conference title again in 2012.
Coaches: Head Coach- Tyler Safranek, 3 years at St. Cloud North
Last Year's Record: 5-3
Returning Starters/Key Returning Players: junior attackman Andrew Lindmeier, senior attackman Michael Whitson, defenseman Tyler Minkel, FOGO Christian Murray
Key Losses: Goalie Alex Hoalupczak
Big Games/Games to See: Knights vs. Duluth on April 15 for what might determine the North Conference championship (note: Knights defeated Duluth by one goal)
Season Outlook: With several key returning players for the Knights, they clearly are the favorite to win the North Conference title again in 2012.
Grand Rapids - 2012 Northern Minnesota Lacrosse Season Preview
Team: Grand Rapid High School
Coaches: Brad Gallop - 3rd year at Grand Rapids
Last Year's Record:1-8
Returning Starters/Key Returning Players: Grand Rapids returns several starters from last season including senior scoring leaders Joey Keating, Aaron Smith and Brody Geisler. Grand Rapids also returns senior starters midfielders Jace Martinetto and Doug Jensen and defenseman seniors Zach Brist, Zach Grandia, and Nate Bumgarner.
Key Losses: Attackman Ben Dunnell and defenseman Kirk Watson.
Key Newcomers: Grand Rapids has some up and coming players that will contribute to a team led by seniors at all positions.
Big Games/Games to See: Big rivalry game against Duluth-Superior on April 26.
Season Outlook: In 2012, Grand Rapids will be led by a strong senior class. With some solid contributions from some of their underclassmen, including a strong sophomore class, Grand Rapids looks to make some major improvements on last years 1-8 record. With solid performances expected out of their senior class and better than expected support from their younger players, Grand Rapids might be looking at a run at a playoff spot in 2012 and a shot at the North Conference title.
April 21, 2012
Lacrosse healthy and growing in Rochester
The story of Rochester, MN and how their lacrosse community developed provides a glimpse of where many of our Northern Minnesota lacrosse programs will likely be in a few years.
Lacrosse healthy and growing in Rochester
By Jason FeldmanThe Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN
| At a glance A brief timeline of lacrosse in Rochester: • 2002: Rochester Area Club Lacrosse is formed; 40 boys play club lacrosse at the JV level. • 2003: The RACL boys team begins club play at the varsity and JV levels. • 2006: The Rochester Girls Lacrosse Association is formed and 32 girls begin club play at the varsity level. • 2008: Rochester Youth Lacrosse Association is formed. • 2009: Rochester's high school teams begin MSHSL-sanctioned play. The three associations merge into one — Rochester Area Lacrosse. • For more information on youth and high school lacrosse in Rochester, see the Rochester Area Lacrosse club's website at www.rochesteryouthlacrosse.com | |||
• One, continue to play at the club level, rather than becoming a full-fledged varsity sport, sanctioned by the Minnesota State High School League.
• Two, continue to fully fund their own programs with the added costs of competing in MSHSL-sanctioned play. Because of a severe budget crunch, the teams would receive no financial help from the Rochester School District.
While Rochester's boys and girls teams had a good amount of success at the club level, many schools throughout the state — specifically the most talented teams — were joining the MSHSL in 2008-09. So, option No. 2 became the choice and a small, but dedicated group of individuals worked to raise enough funds to make varsity lacrosse a reality in Rochester.
"From the beginning, our goal was to get into the Minnesota State High School League," said Rochester Century boys coach Andy Roth, who was a volunteer coach when Rochester Area Lacrosse was formed about 10 years ago with fewer than 20 players. "I don't know that we envisioned having three high school teams for boys and three for girls as quickly as we did, but lacrosse is growing really fast. Once kids play, they're hooked."
Roth credited Wes Emmert of the Rochester Athletic Club with really helping the sport grow in town. When the fledgling club had just 18 players at the start, Emmert helped it find not only a place to play, but new players, as well.
"Once Wes got involved, we went from 18 to 40 in a week," Roth said.
Though the activities directors at the city's high schools took some big tasks off the coaches' plates — particularly scheduling — as the program continued to grow and approach varsity status, more money was needed for uniforms, equipment, travel and coaches' salaries.
That's why RAL players (youth and varsity), coaches and board members spend as much — if not more — time fundraising as they do at the field. RAL president Steve Hagedorn said the club recently wrapped up its biggest fundraising push of the year, selling coupon cards that include discounts to multiple local businesses.
Hagedorn said 90 percent of the funding for the varsity and JV programs comes from student fees, which haven't been increased since the club's first season. The other 10 percent comes from the various fundraisers the club holds. For now, that money is enough to sustain programs for boys from grade 3 and up, and girls from grade 5 and up.
"Our long-range hope is to be able to put money away and arrange for our own practice facilities," said Hagedorn, who is nearing the end of a two-year term as RAL's president. "It's hard to arrange space for all of our teams."
In addition to six varsity and junior varsity teams with 40-45 players each — Lourdes co-ops with John Marshall in both boys and girls lacrosse — Hagedorn estimates there are about 160-170 players in the RAL youth program.
"We're expecting (those numbers) to keep growing," said Hagedorn, whose son Joe played at Mayo and now plays for Swarthmore (Pa.) College. "It's really exciting seeing more and more kids playing every year. The high school programs are attracting more kids each year. Our youth program has grown considerably the past three years and our fundraising has really grown."
The city's high school coaches are excited, too, about the continued growth of the youth program. That means they can spend more time working on game strategy — offensive and defensive sets and plays — and less on fundamentals.
"The first couple of years, everybody who came out for lacrosse was new to the sport," Roth said. "Now we're getting eighth- and ninth-graders coming up who are pretty skilled players. Most of the kids we've had come out will stick with it. Once they catch on, they hang on."
April 20, 2012
Brainerd Warriors - 2012 Northern Minnesota Lacrosse Season Preview
Team: Brainerd High School
Zach Brown - 1st year coaching
Ben Berghuis - 1st year coaching
Jake Reichenbach - 1st year coaching
Zach Cadwell - 1st year coaching
Last Year's Record: 5-8
Number of Returning Starters/Key Returning Players: Starters returning from last years team include John McGillis, Senior Defenseman, Mitch Howieson, Senior Attack/Midfield.
Key Losses: Brainerd lost 8 of their 10 starters to graduation last year, and 10 of the 30 players on varsity from last year, including all-conference performers Zach Brown, Keith Haymaker, Jake Reichenbach, Ben Berghuis, and Mark Torgerson.
Key Newcomers: The Warriors will be a young team this year, with the majority of the team being sophomores or under. The young players will be looking to make an impact on the 2012 team
Team Strength this season: According to Coach Brown, "Our offense looks to be pretty solid, and our defense is improving with each and every practice, but our biggest strength will be our desire to compete. We look to be able to hang with any team we play."
Games to Watch: The opening game of the season April 20 against St. Paul North will be a good indicator for this young team and will be a game to watch. The first big game of the season will be April 25 against conference favorite and rival St. Cloud North.
Season Outlook: With the loss of a very good senior class, the Warriors will be looking to grow their prospects for the next few years. The coaching staff will be working hard to get them ready for the early season. Coach Brown points out, "We have 3 players who have been playing since 8th grade who are just now sophomores, and a few 8th graders on this years team who are already showing great progress." Brown believes the team will grow as the season progresses and he continues, "We hope to compete for a spot in the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive year."
Coaches:
Tyler Brown - 4th year coaching
Dustin Aune - 2nd year coaching
Zach Brown - 1st year coaching
Ben Berghuis - 1st year coaching
Jake Reichenbach - 1st year coaching
Zach Cadwell - 1st year coaching
Last Year's Record: 5-8
Number of Returning Starters/Key Returning Players: Starters returning from last years team include John McGillis, Senior Defenseman, Mitch Howieson, Senior Attack/Midfield.
Key Losses: Brainerd lost 8 of their 10 starters to graduation last year, and 10 of the 30 players on varsity from last year, including all-conference performers Zach Brown, Keith Haymaker, Jake Reichenbach, Ben Berghuis, and Mark Torgerson.
Key Newcomers: The Warriors will be a young team this year, with the majority of the team being sophomores or under. The young players will be looking to make an impact on the 2012 team
 | |
| Brainerd player in white |
Games to Watch: The opening game of the season April 20 against St. Paul North will be a good indicator for this young team and will be a game to watch. The first big game of the season will be April 25 against conference favorite and rival St. Cloud North.
Season Outlook: With the loss of a very good senior class, the Warriors will be looking to grow their prospects for the next few years. The coaching staff will be working hard to get them ready for the early season. Coach Brown points out, "We have 3 players who have been playing since 8th grade who are just now sophomores, and a few 8th graders on this years team who are already showing great progress." Brown believes the team will grow as the season progresses and he continues, "We hope to compete for a spot in the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive year."
April 19, 2012
Fargo Warriors - 2012 Northern Minnesota Lacrosse Season Preview
Team: Fargo Warriors - The Warriors are made up of players from Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead High Schools.
Coaches:
Ben Fairbanks, Head Coach –
Second year with Fargo
Sam Morse, Assistant Coach –
First year with Fargo
Last Year's Record: 1-10
Number of Returning Starters/Key Returning Players: The Warriors return 6 MBSLA North All Conference players from last season who look to be a strong foundation for the team. Those players are Aaron Monson Senior midfielder, John Deelstra Senior Defensman, Ben Noah Sophmore Midfielder, Danie Evenson Junior Goalie, Mike Kringlie Senior Midfielder, and Joe Noah Junior Defense. Among this years Seniors Aaron Monson and John Deelstra are expected to make an strong impact as they step into leadership roles during practice and games to help guide the team through its second season.
Key Losses: Junior Attackman Tannor Lindstrom has moved his talents North as he will be playing with his hometown of Grand Forks as they play their inaugural season and help to continue the growth of lacrosse throughout North Dakota.
Key Newcomers to this years team: Junior Midfielder Carter Schulke looks to have an immediate impact on the team as he comes to the Fargo area with years of experience having played previously in the lacrosse program in Ohio. Senior Defenseman Ben Nelson will give the Warrior defense the physical presence it needs in this years defensive scheme put in place by new Assistant Coach Sam Morse.
Team Strength this season: Determination & Optimism. Strong Goaltending and Midfield play will help the Warriors to control the game on both ends of the field.
Games to Watch: With Grand Cities lacrosse joining the ranks of teams in North Dakota, meetings between the two teams have the possibility of growing into a great rivalry for years to come. Games to watch this season will be when the Warriors face off against Grand Rapids on May 19th and Brainerd on the 20th. Both of these teams squeaked by the Warriors with 1 goal victories last season and these match ups will be strong indicators of how the program has grown over the last year.
Season Outlook: The Fargo Warriors will be returning every player but one from last year's roster. With another year of experience and some new players coming in, the Warriors have high hopes for their team in 2012. Coach Fairbanks believes that, "With there still being a lot of youth on this years roster we are looking to continue to grow game by game and stay determined throughout the season focusing on winning the small battles in every game." With improvement throughout the season Coach Fairbanks adds, "Our ultimate goal will be a winning record and a birth into the state tournament."
Ben Fairbanks, Head Coach –
Second year with Fargo
Sam Morse, Assistant Coach –
First year with Fargo
Last Year's Record: 1-10
Number of Returning Starters/Key Returning Players: The Warriors return 6 MBSLA North All Conference players from last season who look to be a strong foundation for the team. Those players are Aaron Monson Senior midfielder, John Deelstra Senior Defensman, Ben Noah Sophmore Midfielder, Danie Evenson Junior Goalie, Mike Kringlie Senior Midfielder, and Joe Noah Junior Defense. Among this years Seniors Aaron Monson and John Deelstra are expected to make an strong impact as they step into leadership roles during practice and games to help guide the team through its second season.
Key Losses: Junior Attackman Tannor Lindstrom has moved his talents North as he will be playing with his hometown of Grand Forks as they play their inaugural season and help to continue the growth of lacrosse throughout North Dakota.
Key Newcomers to this years team: Junior Midfielder Carter Schulke looks to have an immediate impact on the team as he comes to the Fargo area with years of experience having played previously in the lacrosse program in Ohio. Senior Defenseman Ben Nelson will give the Warrior defense the physical presence it needs in this years defensive scheme put in place by new Assistant Coach Sam Morse.
Games to Watch: With Grand Cities lacrosse joining the ranks of teams in North Dakota, meetings between the two teams have the possibility of growing into a great rivalry for years to come. Games to watch this season will be when the Warriors face off against Grand Rapids on May 19th and Brainerd on the 20th. Both of these teams squeaked by the Warriors with 1 goal victories last season and these match ups will be strong indicators of how the program has grown over the last year.
April 18, 2012
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.
April 17, 2012
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.
April 16, 2012
2012 MBSLA Pre-Season Top 10
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.
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