Boys Lacrosse: A balanced approach

Junior Corey Rudrud (photo by Jim Lindquist)

As the Tigers enter their fourth season in a short history as a varsity sport they are looking at a major change in strategy.

Last season the high-scoring trio of Trevor Howard, Matt Ackerman and Mitch Collier combined for 54 goals and 56 assists. Their loss to graduation, along with starting goalkeeper Charlie Weierke, will necessitate an adjustment in 2013.

"We'll be a veteran team with more overall balance," coach Paul Sorensen said. "We'll be more athletic at all positions."

Sorensen welcomes back a large group of experienced players from last year's squad that finished with the first winning record (8-6) in the program's short history.

The returnees include seniors Jake Bauman (long stick), Brendan Berg (attack), Matt Heinzerling (defense), Joey Todd (defense), Nathan Brunnelle (defense), Alex Schrafft (defense) and Alex Osborn (defense); juniors Kevin Clifton (midfield), Dan Block (midfield), Michael Thompson (midfield), Alex Aubrecht (attack), Corey Rudrud (attack), Chris Fitzgibbons (midfield), Caleb Hakala (midfield) and Max Willis (goalie) and sophomore Garrett Gunderson (attack).

Senior midfielder Ryan Cole and juniors Mitch Hilton (attack) and Nick Workman (defense) also figure to battle for varsity playing time.

Senior Jake Bauman (photo by Jim Lindquist)

"Right now our two big concerns are how we make up for the big losses from last year's team," Sorensen said, "and how will our overall balance equate to better team chemistry."

Not enough Missota Conference schools field lacrosse teams to make the sport an official league activity so the Tigers will once again compete as an "independent."

Because of the overall rise in number of schools offering the sport statewide, however, there has been a change from four post-season sections to eight.

That puts Farmington in a section with Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Owatonna, Rochester John Marshall/Lourdes, Rochester Century and Rochester Mayo,

"North would probably be the favorite," Sorensen said, "but I would throw us in there as well."

The Tiger coach said that he and assistant coaches Mike Fox and Tyler Klotz have adopted a simple motto for the 2013 season: "Earned, Never Given."

"I want us to live by this so we don't try and rest on the laurels of the success we had last year," Sorensen said.

"Farmington's youth numbers are up over 20 percent from a year ago and this year's freshman class is the largest in our brief four-year history.  I'm excited about the present but also for the the future."

The Tigers open the season April 11 with a home game against Lakeville South at Tiger Stadium.