#21 - GIRLS - Notables from the Rest
This week we are reviewing anything out of the top 20 that has our interest piqued.
21 – Andover (2023: 11-4, lost to Centennial in Section 7 Semifinal)
We came into this assuming that Andover was going to be in rough shape after losing so much output the past two years…and they have. They’ve lost only (5) 2023s including their starting goalie and their second leading point scorer. Thus, they return a lot of their offense and a 2025 goalie who did get some experience last year. This North Side stalwart doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, anytime soon.
22 – Buffalo (2023: 8-7, lost to ERZ in Section 8 Final)
Kinda wild observation…finished 0-6 in their conference last year. Lost (3) 2023s, including their first and third leading scorers. They bring back a lot of youth though, including youth with output, part of which was their primary goalie last year (2026). Perhaps even more interesting, only (2) 2024s om last year’s roster. We might have been a year or two early in pumping their tires last year. ERZ better keep their head on a swivel for Section 8.
23 – Orono (2023: 9-6, lost to Chanhassen in Section 2 Semifinal)
Yo, we might be totally jinxing this squad, but they are going to be an issue for a few years. We MIGHT be a year early, but kinda feels like we aren’t. They lost their second and fifth leader scorers…but their leading scorer is a 2026 and their third and fourth leading scorers are 2027s…and their two goalies are 2026s. This is a team that is built for the future and, shout out to an anonymous source, they’ve added at least one other 2026 factor from a conference opponent…worth paying attention to the details surrounding that. Anyway, total noise maker in Section 2 this year…Tonka, Chan and EP, you should be on notice, if you’re not already.
26 - Centennial (2023: 11-4, lost to Champlin Park in Section 7 Final)
Listen…we didn’t want to put them here, but as the runners up in Section 7…and the Section 7 champion having moved to a different section, they deserve some talk. Unfortunately, it’s mostly going to be us griping. First off, (50) players in your MN Lax Hub roster? Come on. Second, you have several instances of the same number, with different names 95, 14, 18, 22, 23, 29. Do better. Third, you have stats for 10 games and you clearly played 15. If you’re not going to take yourselves seriously, why on earth should anyone else? They lose 4 of top 6 scorers (through 10 games), but do return their goalie (5.92/34.3% in 2023). Lots going on here, mostly negative, but they did at least earn a blurb in this bit.
27 – Farmington (2023: 9-7, lost to Lakeville South in Section 1 Final)
(11) 2025s. They lost (2) 2023s. They got whipped 2X by South and 1X by Prior Lake, but their only other bad loss was 10-7 against a gettable Eastview/Eagan team, although they had closer wins against teams like Shakopee, Apple Valley/Burnsville, and North than they should have…but they beat a higher decorated (and perpetually disappointing) Hill-Murray squad. They’re going to be better this year and we are VERY interested to see what the 2025 Section 1 race looks like with Lakeville South. New coach this year should also inject some refreshing life into the program too.
39 – Chisago Lakes (2023: 15-1, lost to Champlin Park in Section 7 Semifinal)
Chisago Lakes was 1 of 2 remaining undefeated teams…and they could be undefeated again late, looking at their schedule so far. Winner for largest MN Lax Hub roster at 36. Champlin Park moving to Section 5 really clears out a big hurdle in Section 7 for them.
42 – Southwest Christian (2023: 13-2, lost to Eden Prairie in Section 3 Quarterfinal)
Listen…all 4 of you are probably tired of reading about SW Christian. Guess what? Go write you own MN girls lacrosse blog and you can annoy your 4 readers with your favorite teams. SWC HC was on the pod last year and wanted to get a tougher schedule. Adding Chaska, St. Louis Park and…Minnetonka…fills that ask out. Life comes and goes with Gisella Harder (not in the spiritual sense – calm down), but they return production elsewhere, including their 2024 goalie. Where do they fit into the Section 1 landscape?
46 – Moorhead (2023: 8-7, lost to STMA in Section 8 Semifinal)
More youth. Its so great to see in MN lacrosse. Their goalie that played all last year is a 2027. The OG social media squad in the MN girls lax scene. (9) 2026s – that feels like some depth in the making. Their alpha (Sydney Martinson) chirped us back on Twitter last year, when they made a huge comeback - so that is worth points.
71 – Mankato (2023: 6-9, lost to Lakeville South in Section 1 Quarterfinal)
Wait until you read our Section 1 preview. You want some deeper dive, non-metro analysis? Here is installment 1 of our 2-part Mankato deep dive. Lose only (2) 2023s. 15/21 rostered players are 2025 and younger, down to 2029. Goalie is a 2025. 3/5 of their leading scorers are 2027s! Honestly…we project them to be over .500 this year and getting better and better. How fun is this?