Recapping Week Two in Minnesota

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minnesota lacrosse is in full swing, and I've been able to see all of the teams get a few games under their belt. While the juggernaut things have been doing juggernaut things for the most part, I have been extremely impressed with some up-and-coming teams not only staying competitive with some of the better teams in the state but <em>winning</em> these games as the underdog. It has been a fun start to the season and there have already been some fireworks. Many of the "players to watch" from earlier articles are having productive starts to the season, as expected. But, I have been really impressed with some of the underclassmen that have been stepping up and contributing in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In last Wednesday's game between Maple Grove and Armstrong, two teams that battled it out for the NWSC title last season, I was impressed with a couple of players who were new names, at least to me. Armstrong senior [player_tooltip player_id='24889' first='Jameson' last='Essen'] had four goals for the Falcons, bringing his total up to 12 on the year in just three games. For the Crimson, [player_tooltip player_id='24890' first='Landon' last='Bakke'] impressed with four goals and an assist, while [player_tooltip player_id='24891' first='Tyler' last='Steinkopf'] had three goals and two helpers of his own. The big stat line for me however was Maple Grove goaltender, [player_tooltip player_id='24892' first='Brady' last='Meline'], who had 15 saves on 24 shots. This proved to be the difference in the game as both teams were fairly even in shots on goal, but the Crimson senior goalie stood tall in the cage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Thursday, we had the most anticipated matchup so far this season with No. 2 2 Lakeville North squaring off against No. 3 Edina. I have written about a ton of players from both of these teams and those guys all brought their "A" game and gave the fans a thrilling back-and-forth game. For the Lakeville North Panthers, star face-off middie [player_tooltip player_id='15602' first='Quinn' last='Power'] went 88% at the X with two goals and [player_tooltip player_id='19877' first='Blake' last='Piscitiello'] had five goals. Edina's [player_tooltip player_id='17848' first='Cooper' last='Anderson'] had a nice game with three goals and two assists. However, it was Edina's secondary scoring - two goals apiece from [player_tooltip player_id='24893' first='Lincoln' last='Gentry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='24894' first='Lyle' last='Dietrich'] - that helped Edina take the 9-8 win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While all eyes were on the Lakeville North vs. Edina matchup, we had a shootout between Minnetonka and St. Michael - Albertville. This was an offensive explosion and featured top 2024 attackman, [player_tooltip player_id='17032' first='Reme' last='Lobitz'], who put on a show. Lobitz went off, scoring seven goals and adding an assist for the Knights while senior [player_tooltip player_id='24897' first='Luke' last='Erlandson'] served as the set-up guy and had two goals and four assists. For the Skippers, senior Grant Anundson had 3G/3A and junior [player_tooltip player_id='24896' first='Gabe' last='Miller'] had a hat trick plus two assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some other notable performances:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["24898"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The 2027 face-off specialist has burst onto the scene for the Skippers, posting a 61% percentage through four games.  On the taller end for the position, he is extremely quick and agile out of his clamp and can win it forward to push transition.  He is a threat to push transition and has solid stick skills and shooting ability, making him a dynamic piece of his team's offense.  He hasn't scored at the varsity level yet, but, as the season wears on, I expect him to get more involved in Minnetonka's early offensive situations.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["24885"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Hudson played quite a bit last year as a freshman for the Cadets but was more of a role player in the offense given the amount of senior talent they had.  This year, he has had to carry a bit more of the load as a sophomore.  Standing at a towering 6'5, I've been impressed with his size, mobility and field sense.  He knows how to get open and find cutting lanes, but is big and strong enough to dodge his own matchup.  He has great hands and a great shot.  A very well-rounded player for a sophomore, I think he has a ton of upside. In the game I saw against Eagan, he had a nice night with 3G/2A and now has a total of 14 points through three games.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["24904"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Reutter is part of the East Ridge offense that returned everyone for the 2024 season.  They are off to a great start as a team, and Reutter has been a key piece.  He has amazing control and pacing in his dodging allowing him the ability to break down his defender and win his matchup.  He also puts himself in a good shooting position off-ball to catch and score.  He has a great outside shot and brings a dynamic element to his team at the midfield position. Reutter has seven goals and three assists through three games and should continue to produce for the Raptors through the end of the season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66292ef33935e"} /-->