Girls Hockey: Cautiously Optimistic

Senior forward Haley Doll (photo by Jim Lindquist)

If the Tigers are to improve on last year's fifth place finish in the Missota Conference and better their 9-17 record they will have to do three things: 1) Improve offensively; 2) play solid defense and 3) answer some big questions at the goalie position.

Coach Jon Holmes is cautiously optimistic those are all reachable goals.

"It will be important for us to to keep positive in both our attitude and effort," he said. "Right now the girls are very excited and have started the year off with a work ethic like none other."

Scoring goals was an issue last winter and leading scorer Chloe Batta has moved out of the district. Still, Holmes has an experienced group of forwards that may be able to better finish off offensive opportunities this season.

Seniors Grace Gavin and Haley Doll; juniors Grace Vincent, Haleigh Zwart and Shaye Jenrich; sophomore Michaela Tonsager and freshman Madeline Oines all bring varsity experience to the front line. Doll received all-conference honorable mention last season.

Last weekend in a scrimmage in Hibbing the Tigers scored 20 goals in four games, something that encouraged their coach.

"That's about what we scored in 20 games last year," Holmes said. "There's great upperclassmen leadership there and you can see a lot of off-season growth."

Junior defender Rachael Welzin (photo by Jim Lindquist)

On the blue line, all-conference performer Betsy Anderson was lost to graduation, but plenty of veteran depth remains at the position.

Juniors Rachael Welzin, Bria Donnelly, Brooke Raske, sophomore Shelby Klotz, and freshman Dani Wright should all be in the hunt for playing time and senior Rachael Peroutky returns to the fold after playing elsewhere last winter.

The big question mark in the early going could be in the nets. Perennial all-conference netminder Jess Erchul, a four-year starter, hung up her stick and gloves last spring and two rookies, sophomore Maddie Bowe and eighth-grader Molly Singewald, are battling to fill her skates.

"Neither of them has varsity or junior varsity experience," Holmes said. "But both are very coachable and have shown promise in our four scrimmages."

Holmes said that his team is setting weekly goals for the first part of the season.

"We want to be concentrated on the most specific tasks," he said, "and we'll be constantly re-visiting our goals."

Senior forward Grace Gavin (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Holmes likes Red Wing and Shakopee in the chase for conference honors and said defending champion Lakeville North looks like the team to beat in Section 1AA.

"I believe we will be able to compete for those honors as well," he said.

Former Tiger standout Kevin Lugowksi joins veterans Jason Kohlbeck and Alan Jenrich as varsity assistant coaches this winter.

"We're really excited about Kevin joining our staff," Holmes said. "He brings good experience and a contagious, positive attitude."

The Tigers open their 2012-13 season Tuesday night (Nov. 13) with a non-conference home game with Hastings at Schmitz-Maki Arena.