#2 - GIRLS - Prior Lake
This week we are reviewing LaxNumbers, #2 ranked Prior Lake.
2023 Record
13-2. Lost in Section 6 finals to Edina.
Who did they lose?
Rachel Ward - M
39 goals, 26 assists, 65 points
Committed to American (D1)
Nina Winter - A
38 goals, 27 assists, 65 points
Committed to Marquette (D1)
Megan Sporney - M
41 goals, 9 assists, 50 points
Committed to High Point (D1)
Ruby Burandt – G
5.77 GAA, 42.9%
Committed to Mount Olive (D2)
Who is returning?
2024 Kayleigh Sandell – A/M
37 goals, 12 assists, 49 points
Committed to Grand Valley State (D2)
2024 Sadie Chappuis – A (played mid in 2022 before ACL injury – missed 2 games in 2023)
15 goals, 20 assists, 35 points
Committed to Colorado Mesa (D2)
2025 Abby Grove - M
11 goals, 6 assists, 17 points
Committed to Rutgers (D1)
2025 Madeline Sazama - D
26 GB, 19 FT
Committed to Grand Valley State (D2)
2025 Tali Baldzicki - A
13 goals, 7 assists, 20 points
Committed to Grand Valley State (D2)
2026 Keeley Mohling - M
6 goals, 3 assists, 9 points, 40 DC
Instant Reaction
First – remember this is not a MSHSL placement list and its not a projected ranking for 2024…its off of the 2023 LaxNumbers rankings. We didn’t write the equation, but we are sure Goltz will bitch about it.
Second – sorry about not noting all the post season awards. Its literally too hard to keep track of. Going to say that the ones you’d expect to have won all awards, won all the awards.
Like South, that is a lot of production, accolades (if we bothered to list them), and commitments to replace. We’ve said it before…we’ll say it again…with Prior Lake, its always the next group up. One class goes out…one class comes in. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Its why anyone paying attention has been talking about Prior Lake as a state champ contender since 2017.
However…is this a “down” year in the making for Prior Lake? The goalie situation is a bit unclear (they did roster their JV goalie in sections). And let’s be honest…those 4 seniors held major positions within their org.
We’ll use their own Kayleigh Sandell as a counter argument. What did she do in 2022 as a sophomore? Glad you asked. 7 goals, 0 assists. 2023 as a junior? 37 goals, 12 assists. Feels like Abby Grove and Tali Baldzicki are the top candidates this spring for that role…but let’s not sleep on their 2026s and gasp…2027s.
The Future
We aren’t writing off PL’s 2024 class, far from it…but their 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028 classes are reported to be large and good (shout out to actual Mrs. PMac with that intel). One class goes out…one class comes in.
Anyone up for a 2027 Preview? Gee…wonder who won 14A MSLAX this year…checking TourneyMachine…oh…here’s a hint: rhymes with Buyer Rake.
Stat Crusade
In our crusade on assist percentage…PL assisted on 121/240 of their goals (50.4% of those keeping score at home). That makes sense.
2024 Schedule?
Believe it or not…Prior Lake has all 13 games scheduled! Gentry has got to be blushing as they didn’t bother scheduling their games until the 2023 season was half over (not really, but kinda). PL has their normal SSC gauntlet (Lakeville South, Rosemount, etc) and adds Stillwater, Chan, Edina, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, and Minnetonka. Yikes. When your SSC schedule is the easy part, you’ve set yourself up for a lot of great games.
Interesting Nugget No One is Talking About
The entire defensive unit, in front of the goal, returns. One way to not allow goals is to not allow shots. Includes a D1 commit (Lana Disrud to Niagara) and 5 others that will or at least can play lax at next level.
PL is fighting a little injury bug of late. Two varsity returners are battling different degrees of knee injuries, one on defensive side and one on the attack side.
In Conclusion
There will be people, perhaps many, who will write PL off: losing a lot, inexperienced goalie, tough schedule. Cannot argue those facts.
Warning - tread carefully. Closest example? Try the 2023 PL boys program - they looked like a total dumpster fire to start the season, but guess who beat BSM in the state semis to play for the trophy? Good old Buyer Rake.
Prior Lake girls lacrosse isn’t going away anytime soon.
Coming next week: Edina