Unlike the lofty, title-driven goals of BSM sports teams like golf, softball, or boys’ lacrosse, the varsity girls’ lacrosse team has a different goal in mind: to learn how to play as a team. “I think our biggest goal as a team is to just learn how to help each other out. Sometimes we struggle with only playing an offensive game or a defensive game and not both,” said senior captain Kelly Kosiek.

The young team, which is now 3-7, was undefeated at this point last season. With the loss of 10 of last year’s players, this year’s team basically had to start over.  “Last year we were fortunate enough to have a team of girls who had been playing together for a couple of years. We have had multiple losses this year and I think it stems from the fact that we are pretty much a brand new team with only eight returning players,” said Kosiek.

The team also lost last year’s goalie, Brianna Clarke, and was forced to accommodate and find someone with little experience to step in. “It has been extremely difficult dealing with the goalie situation. We do not have a designated goalie for varsity but Kelsey Daley had stepped up and has done great the last couple games,” said Kosiek.

The loss of last year’s starters isn’t the only challenge that has faced the team; injury has also plagued three of the returning eight players.  Captains Kelly Kosiek and Carolyn Rasley both entered the season coming off knee surgery and senior Ashley Duffy has had a pulled quad muscle for the entire season.

In their most recent game against Wayzata High School, the team was competitive in the beginning, but as the game progressed, Wayzata proved too strong for BSM’s young team. “We were tied early on, but we have to keep up our transition on the field; otherwise we lose our intensity as a team,” Kosiek said.  Wayzata ended with a 10-4 win.

With goals of a conference or section championship unrealistic, the team can only focus on learning to work together and finishing the last two games of their regular season on a positive note.

Marie Renckens, staff writer