In a poll on the lacrosse website MN Lax Hub, the 2010 BSM Lacrosse team was voted the best team in the history of Minnesota Lacrosse. After losing three seniors to Division I colleges, this year’s Red Knights will have to prove themselves as they try to repeat as State Champions.
The most obvious need the Red Knights will need to address is the loss of attackmen Ryan Butts and Baily Dodds to graduation. “We lost a lot of firepower last year, but I think that the seniors will step up and replace a ton of those goals, and the juniors will follow their lead,” said junior attack Will Hoesley.
Although the Red Knights are once again championship contenders, getting out of their section will be no easy task. “Blake, as always, will be our main competition within our section. They have great senior leadership with star players at each position,” said senior captain midfielder Peter Schubloom.
And the competition doesn’t ease up after sections with Minnetonka and Eden Prairie looming. “Minnetonka and Eden Prairie will both be tough games. They both have big, athletic and talented midfielders,” said senior captain midfielder Zach Silvestri.
Some new Red Knights will have to produce on the big stage this year. “There are some talented underclassmen this year, notably [sophomore attack] Jack Tucker, who we expect to start and produce at attack, as well as sophomore midfielder Rob Lance who could produce also,” said senior captain midfielder Taylor Topousis.
Not only will new players have to fill in, but the returning players may have to get used to being in the spotlight in order for the team to succeed. “We have a number of guys that will have to play featured roles as opposed to being role players last year, but I believe they’re ready for the challenge,” said Silvestri.
This year’s team will rely less on individual performances and more on the team as a whole. “Last year we were very strong individually and could depend on certain players. This year we have just as much talent, but it’s equal throughout the team,” said Schubloom.
What BSM may be lacking on attack as far as experience goes, they make up for on the defensive end. “We lost a lot of great offensive players, but we return Joe Pettinger, Zach Silvestri, and Adam Clark on the defensive side, so we should have a strong defensive team,”
said junior goalie Thomas Gilligan.
If the offense can put the ball in the net, the team should be okay. “The biggest test will be if we can consistently put up points; our defense ranks as one of the best in the state, so it is up to the offense to find a way to score goals consistently,” said Topousis.
