Standout Performances in Minnesota’s First Weekend of Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All of my Minnesota-related lacrosse content up until this point has been speculation and prediction. When breaking down a list of the top players to watch, it simply is a formulated opinion based on several factors, but of course, it is not a fully comprehensive list. <br><br>Well, we have <em>finally</em> arrived at the start of the official MN high school lacrosse season and now, we get to watch the games and highlight some key players and performances each night. We had a great start to the season this weekend - here's a look at some of the notable performances:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["24126"],"_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":"Against Wayzata on Saturday, Chorlton impressed me with his grit, effort, and all-out motor.  He plays a relentless style, hunting out nearly every ground ball, and matching up to play effective 1v1 defense even when he's outsized.  Nate is an extremely gifted hockey player for the Raiders and brings some of that scrappy hockey toughness to the lacrosse field.  On top of that, he took face-offs and played offense for the Raiders as well. He rarely comes off the field and does it all for the Raiders.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["24142"],"_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":"Kirt was a goalie that I omitted from my u003ca href=u0022https://preplacrosse.com/2024/02/minnesotas-top-specialists-in-the-class-of-2024/u0022u003eClass of 2024 Top Specialistsu003c/au003e article because I mistakenly had him listed as a '25.  He definitely should have been on that list and is one of the premier goalies in the state.  He has a big frame with quick hands and will eat up anything that isn't a high percentage look.  Anchoring a strong Wayzata defense, he communicates well, commands the defense, and is extremely active in the clear.  Deceptively fast, he even got a shot on goal early in the contest on a clear.  If a team locks off in the ride, he will take it coast-to-coast. He had eight saves on 13 shots in the opener and made it hard for the opponent to get any real momentum going on offense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["24129"],"_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":"Goehring is a monster midfielder and a matchup nightmare.  Standing at 6'4 and 180 pounds, he can really bring the heat on his time and room shot and creates a lot of deception for goalies, especially when he shoots straight overhand.  He is calm and methodical with the ball on offense and easily earns slides, but he's also a smart decision-maker who plays within the system.  Goehring started the year with four goals against Farmington and should rack up points for the Wildcats this season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["24130"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"A relatively unknown piece of the large returning group of offensive players for the Jaguars, Weiler stood out to me with his work from X.  He is a shifty player that plays with his eyes up and understands where to go with the ball on offense.  He has a quarterback mentality and does a great job setting up his teammate, but was just as effective getting to the goal and scoring if the slides were late. Weiner also scraps for ground balls and rebounds in front of the net.  He has four goals and one assist to go along with eight ground balls in two games so far this season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["19208"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Muth was noted in my u003ca href=u0022https://preplacrosse.com/2024/02/stock-rising-24s-in-minnesota-seniors-ready-to-break-out/u0022u003e'Stock Rising' post a few months agou003c/au003e but he has burst onto the scene in a big way already in 2024.  He is exceptionally quick and athletic and is a really smart face-off specialist, finding his exits and getting to space.  He seems to be in complete control of the face-off situation and grinds out wins for his team.  He went 80% in his first game on Saturday for the Raptors, also adding a goal, assist, and 12 ground balls.  The East Ridge offense will be electric this season as long as he is taking draws.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["24133"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Frank is a pole that was not on my radar early on, but he definitely should be. He is an intense, athletic pole that makes his presence felt.  He has incredible range and can press players from sideline to sideline.  Frank is physical and throws hard checks that will dislodge the ball and cause turnovers without losing position.  He plays mean and will make his presence known.  On top of that, he has a green light in transition and plays a key part in Northfield's riding schemes.  He owns the space between the boxes in the 10-man ride and makes an impact in transition as well.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661d4ff8a8377"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->