COACH
Chad Akerson (1st year)
ASSISTANT COACHES
Lee Wierschem (varsity), Veronica Collins (head JV), Kelsey Ochsendorf (assistant JV)
LAST SEASON
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8-18 overall; 2-12 CLC, 8th place; Section 2A: beat St. Peter 7-3, lost Mankato West 6-2
KEY DATES
Season/Central Lakes Conference: 7 p.m. today vs. North Wright County (St. Michael-Albertville, Monticello, Annandale, Big Lake) at Monticello
Home Opener: 7 p.m. Friday vs. St. Cloud Icebreakers
Cardinal Classic: Nov. 27-28 (Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato, Mankato East, Morris/Benson Area)
Holiday Tournament: Dec. 28-30 at Austin
Section 2A quarterfinals: Feb. 11 at high seed
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
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Seniors
Meckenzie Dahle, defense
Carlie Freese, defense
Jennie Mattison, defense
Erin Sheehan, forward
Ali Sing, forward
Samantha Thompson, defense
Juniors
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Kayte Cole, center
Alex Linbo, forward
Sophomores
Paige Davis, forward
Becca Freese, wing
Kylee Hulscher, wing
Kendra Maxfield, forward
Baylie Young, goalie
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Freshmen
Sam Block, defense
Brooke Mayer, forward
Madison Sandberg, goalie
Brittney Serbus, defense
Lauren Sing, defense
Eighth Grade
Miranda Roelofs, wing
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FOR STARTERS
Lines: (First) Ali Sing (14 goals-15 assists-29 points) centering LW Kayte Cole and RW Kylee Hulscher ... (2nd) Becca Freese (5-5-10) centering RW Meckenzie Dahle (5-7-12) and LW Erin Sheehan (7-6-13) ... (3rd) Brooke Mayer centering RW Alex Linbo and LW Lauren Sing/Miranda Roelofs ... Defense (pairs): Sam Thompson and Jennie Mattison, Sam Block and Carlee Freese, Kendra Maxfield and Brittney Serbus ... Goalies: Baylie Young (5-13, .871 save percentage), Madison Sandberg (0-1, .911) ... Notes: Fourteen letterwinners back and only four seniors lost, though that includes four-time MVP and All-State Honorable Mention forward Chelsey Wierschem, who owns Cardinals' single-season goal-scoring record (34). New coach Akerson has coached in boys programs (six seasons). He's the third head coach in program's 12th year after Ross Dahl (eight seasons) and Rick Dahle (three seasons). Blue-line defenders are veteran and will have to keep score down until offense clicks.
OUTLOOK
Coach Chad Akerson: "Strengths are senior leadership and seasoned defenders. We have a lot of youth on roster who didn't play a major role last year and they must step up. We're not the biggest or strongest but have been working hard to change that. We scrimmaged North Wright County on Saturday and tied 2-2. I'm excited to coach my first game against Tim Hanson (WHS '92), who was an assistant coach with John Wilson my senior year (at Willmar) and some one I really admire."
-- Rand Middleton
