11 April 2014

Girls Lacrosse: Tigers bury Irish in opener

Ashley Steffes had 3 goals and 2 assists in the season opener (photo by Jim Lindquist)
The Tigers finished last season by winning six of seven games and by the looks of their 17-2 non-conference rout of Rosemount Thursday night at Tiger Stadium, coach Dan Pickens' team is picking up right where it left off a year ago.

Eleven different players scored goals in the game against the Irish that was decided in the first minute when Nikki Colvard scored after the opening draw.

The Tigers went on to outscore their guests 11-1 in the first half and finished the night with a a whopping 49-12 advantage in shots on goal.

"What a start," Pickens said. "It looks like we are starting from where we left off last year...The depth and young talent definitely showed this game as we outworked and outhustled them (Rosemount) from the first draw."

Ashley Steffes led the scoring parade for the winners with three goals and two assists for a five-point night. Shelby Klotz added three scores and an assist for four points and Rachael Welzin (goal, 2 assists), Becky Genzler (2 goals, assist) and Kaeli Halverson (goal, 2 assists) each had three points.

Colvard, Amanda Davenport, Lindsay Benson, Christine Steffes, Kamryn Corraro and Ali Saby each had a goal and Davenport. Corraro and Kelly Kornmann all recorded assists.

Shelby Klotz 3 goals, assist (photo by Jim Lindquist)
While the offense was attacking, the defense and goalkeeper Maddie Kohlbeck were keeping the Irish off the scoreboard. Kohlbeck stopped 10 of 12 shots to start her senior season with a bang.

"Maddie was stellar in the nets," Pickens said.

The Tiger coach said he he and his team would like to savor the strong opening game perfromance but the schedule won't allow for it.

"The girls have worked hard preparing for this year and it is clear they are hungry for more," he said."But we have a tough opponent in Lakeville South tomorrow...We need to remember that expectations are nothing without hard work and humility."

Friday's game with South starts at 6:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.


NOTE: Free, downloadable high-resolution photos from this event are available at Jim Lindquist's Photography website at http://sidekick.smugmug.com/