BOYS: SECTION 1 PREVIEW
Section 1, despite being considered a weaker section, had a couple really competitive games last post season and produced the 2023 State Champion, Lakeville North Panthers. I think this section will improve as some of the outer metro teams continue to build their programs and grow the sport in their area. Some of the key section notes before team breakdowns:
Southwest Christian was added to section 1
Metro Player of the Year, Quinn Power, is from section 1 (LVN)
Since its existence (2013), Lakeville North has won 8 out of the 10 section titles. (no tournament in 2020). Only Rochester Mayo (2013) and Farmington (2022) have escaped section 1 besides the Panthers
Lakeville North (17-2)
The 2023 champs are looking to run it back and defend their title. They are a strong program with a rich tradition that is loaded with talent in the 2025 class. They made our pre-season top 15 preview list and and you can read more in-depth about their stats here. They return plenty of scoring and nearly their entire starting defense. Oh yeah, they also bring back metro player of the year, Quinn Power, to dominate at the face-off X and provide senior leadership for the squad. They will be replacing a couple strong leaders from the 2023 class, goalie Tyler Ahlvers, attackman Austin Winship and midfielders Leo Piscitiello and Nathan Long. If they stay healthy, they should be as good, if not better than last year. However, depth has been an issue for them, so, staying healthy will be key. Their starting 10 are as good as any in the state, but, after that is a pretty unproven roster.
Farmington (10-6)
Obviously, as a coach for this program, I am biased. Farmington has so much going for them and has shows incredible improvement since 2021 when coach Mitch Grengs took over the program. The Tigers gave North everything they could handle in the section final last year, but, fell just a bit short. Good news for the Tigers is that they return a handful of starters in key positions and have a very talented group of young players. The FYLA 14U-A team has been a final 4 team in the youth state tournament the past two seasons - last year ending as the runner-up. They bring back 3 of their top 4 scorers in Henry Ulrick, Tommy Lund, and Jack Rosa. They also have a mainstay between the pipes in goalie, Hayden Houghton, who has started since 8th grade. The Tigers will be replacing a handful of guys on the defensive end as well as some depth at midfield. This will be an interesting year for Farmington as some of the new, younger players, make the jump up to varsity.
New Prague (7-8)
This is a team that has been rolling with their strong class of 2025 since they were freshman. A relatively new program that has steadily improved each season as their core group of kids have gotten older. Now junior heavy, this is a team that I expect to make a jump. They play a relatively tough schedule against the Metro West conference and have an interesting OOC game against Hudson (WI) in May. It all starts for them with stuff Face-Off guy Peter Dias. He is quick and smart at the X posting a 75% win percentage in 2023 while also adding 8 goals and 3 assists. In addition to being able to get possessions, they return their top two scorers, Ungs (65 pts) and Buetow (43 pts), Starting LSM Alex Nelson, and both of their goalies. If there was ever a team whose “stock is rising” - New Prague would be it. I think this is a pivotal year for the Trojans as they have mainly been trying to keep up as underclassmen.
Mankato (9-5)
Mankato has been slowly gaining steam in the Big 9 and section 1 and last year posted the best record they’ve had as a program. They are a team that plays hard and will give you a full 48 minutes. They will lean on seniors, Kolten McGregor and Gage Schmidt to produce on offense. The #1 and #3 scorers for Mankato produced, 53 and 47 points, respectively last year and will be counted on for production again this season. The did lose Andrew Sorbo who was a big piece of offense for them last season as well as a couple of their starting defenseman. I think Mankato has taken the first step as a program - they are competing for conference titles in the big 9 and have been able to snag a few section wins over the last couple years. They will look to take the next step in 2024 and go deeper into the section playoffs.
Northfield (4-10)
After a run to the section final in 2022, they took a surprisingly big step back in 2023. It was a rough year for the Raiders but there is no shortage of talented players in the program. Sophomore George Peterson (27pts) and senior Cam Waters (15 pts) are back as the top two scorers. In addition they have a solid senior goalie, Trey Shimota, and two really good poles Ty Frank and Cooper Rand. There is a nice core of kids here for the raiders. Depth may be an issue for a deep run to state, but, the talent is there to get back as a mainstay in the Big 9 and section 1.
Rochester Co-Op (N/A)
I think in probably the biggest co-op news of the pre-season is that Rochester Mayo is folding their program after having a magnificent year in 2023. Battling farmington to the very end in section 1 semi’s they looked to be on the rise. However, a massive graduation of a heavy senior class must have hurt the Spartans’ numbers as now they will not be hosting a program in 2024. It sounds like they will combine with Century to have one high school team. No matter what anyone says…. when you combine multiple schools to make a team, you instantly get a bump in competitiveness. Mayo has a bright young attackman in sophomore Max Erickson and a great senior goalie, Owen Brock. Century had a rough year last year but had many 8th and 9th graders playing varsity. There is a lot of talent in those younger age groups at Century and they solve their goalie issues with Mayo’s goalie. This is a team that could be much more competitive as one group in 2024
Lakeville South (3-11) - The cougars are such an anomaly after being near the top of section 1 for years. They have really struggled, uncharacteristically, the last few seasons. Not sure if they are losing players to North or if lacrosse just isn’t popular in the school, but, these have definitely been lean years for a once strong program. There are some nice pieces on the cougars roster to build around, however. Junior LSM Eli Rodriguez is a skilled and tough player that will compete hard every play. He should help anchor the middle of the field. Oscar Gerlach is a nice attackman with good skills and IQ. They will need to figure out who will step up and take control of their offense in 2024.
Owatonna (3-11) - From personal experience, Owatonna is a tough team to play. There is talent there and they play hard, physical, brand of lacrosse. There are some really talented players on the team starting with Senior Jack Strom. He is a 6”4’ attackman that has some smooth moves, quick hands and a great shot. He doesn’t initiate a ton but if he gets an opportunity he will find the back of the net. Junior defenseman, Nolan Soller, is a fast, physical and athletic pole that can play LSM or Close D. He brings an edge to a team that already has an identity of toughness and physical play. After a really impressive 2022 campaign, they fell back down to earth in 2023, but, there is opportunity for success within their conference.
Southwest Christian (3-11): Coming in from Section 2, SWCHS will have their work cut our for them once again. A newer, growing program that has been doing the right things and working to build their numbers. They have had a few solid players come through the program and hopefully can continue to build something there. They play primarily a JV level schedule in the regular season and then have traditionally run into one of the big guns in section 2 right away. They will look to push for their first section playoff win in 2024 as they continue to grow the program.