Girls Lacrosse: Big shoes to fill

Goalie Maddie Kohlbeck (photo by Jim Lindquist)

After finishing 3-20 in their first two years of existence the Tigers roared to a 9-5 record last spring, averaging almost 13 goals a contest

The biggest challenge facing this year's squad in trying to move the program forward will be replacing the eight seniors, including all-state attacker Haley Bradshaw, who walked through the graduation line last June.

"All of last year's seniors were starters and they accounted for 84 percent of our offense," coach Dan Pickens said.

Pickens will build his 2013 team around five returning players who saw a lot of varsity action last spring: junior midfielder Rachael Welzin, junior midfielder Kylee Glenn, junior goalie Maddie Kohlbeck,  sophomore  midfielder Shelby Klotz and sophomore attacker Michaela Tonsager.

With only three days of practice under his belt, Pickens said its far too early to say what players will step into the fill the shes of last season's departed seniors.

"We have a lot of girls competing for spots this year," he said. "I will know a lot more after tryouts"

One thing that has Pickens thinking optimistically is last year's junior varsity team compiled an unbeaten 12-0-1 record and after early workouts, he seems confident his 2013 team will be a competitive one.

Sophomore Kylee Glenn (photo by Jim Lindquist)

"We will again be a very fast team and  we'll be strong defensively.," he said. "We have a strong goalie and should hold teams to  below 10 goals per game. We also have very strong leaders on the team led by co-captains Rachael Welzin and Maddie Kohlbeck."

Lacrosse will still not be an official Missota Conference sport this season as not enough league schools offer it on a varsity basis.

Farmington will switch its post-season assignment as the Minnesota State High School League has expanded the sport from four to eight sections. The Tigers will join Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Owatonna, Faribault Shattuck-St. Mary's, Rochester John Marshall/Lourdes, Rochester Century and Rochester Mayo in Section 1.

"We are looking strong again for our section and I hope to get at least another home game if not a top seed," Pickens said  We have some tough games, but I think we can compete with anyone in our section.

"Our regular season games with Lakeville South and Owatonna will mean a lot. We'll have to bring our battle level up."

Shawn Anderson returns as varsity assistant coach. Abby Thell and Kate Demchak team up to coach the junior varsity squad.

The Tigers kick off their season April 11 with a road game versus Lakeville South.