The Chaska girls lacrosse team was looking to finish its regular season on May 21 against District 112 foe Chanhassen. With temperatures in the mid-60s and a slight wind, the 6-6 Hawks were seeking revenge for a one-goal loss last season to the 3-7 Storm. Kamryn Remick was in goal for Chaska as she has been all season and was one of six seniors on the roster playing their final scheduled game at CHS Field.
The game opened abruptly as Chanhassen took the ball downfield and scored on its first shot just 30 seconds into the contest to take a 1-0 lead. Not wanting her team to fall behind early, freshman Claire Dittberner scored for Chaska just 10 seconds later to even the score at 1-1. Junior Rissa Langguth then scored at 1:20, followed by eighth grader Kenley Sandvig at 6:14, with sophomore Rylee Thompson adding two more goals at 8:31 and 10:23. Chanhassen added a goal with one second left in the quarter to bring the first quarter score to 5-2 in favor of the Hawks.
Chanhassen scored the first two goals in the second quarter. Balanced attacks by both teams along with strong rushes and solid goalkeeping made for a fast-paced and intense quarter. Langguth scored her second goal of the night at 4:53 for the only Chaska goal of the quarter, giving the Hawks a 6-4 halftime lead.
Coming out of halftime, the Hawks followed their coaches’ message to stay focused while continuing to demonstrate sportsmanship. Chaska matched the Storm in effort during the opening portion of the third quarter before taking its play up another level. Langguth scored at 2:36 off an assist from Sandvig. Dittberner made the score 8-4 at 8:34 of the third quarter, and senior Evelynn Rodgers scored 25 seconds later. Rodgers added another goal with just six seconds left in the quarter. With Chanhassen adding one goal of its own, the Hawks carried a 10-5 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Hawks exuded confidence entering the final quarter. Thompson capitalized on that momentum and scored at 1:16. Rodgers added another goal, her third of the night, just nine seconds later to put Chaska ahead 12-5. Chanhassen answered with a goal before Chaska rattled off three more scores: Thompson netted her fourth goal at 3:44, Dittberner added her third at 5:37 and Sandvig scored her second at 6:28. Chanhassen added two more goals before Langguth recorded Chaska’s final goal at 10:07, bringing the final score to 16-8 in favor of the Hawks.
After the final whistle, Coach Lauren Koloski praised her team’s effort. “Awesome job everyone, I’m so proud of the effort and the outcome, well played game with everyone having an impact” she said. The victory marked Koloski’s 65th win with the program. The coaches also named goalie Remick the player of the game for her outstanding performance in net.
Captains Remick, Rodgers and Langguth shared their thoughts after the game.
“We had a good season and wanted to finish strong. Our coaches got us well prepared, and we never doubted ourselves,” Rodgers said.
When Remick was asked what contributed to her strong performance, she credited the defense.
“The defense held them back really good, and that was great. I saw the ball well and was able to make the stops we needed,” she said.
When asked when the team felt the momentum swing in its favor, Langguth reflected on the team’s confidence entering the game. “We went into the game confident we could win. Last year’s loss stung. It had been a while since we beat Chan, and we all wanted it. We supported each other and did what we had to do to have each other’s backs. It’s pretty great,” she said.
For the season, Dittberner led the Hawks in goals (40), assists (23), and points (63), averaging three goals per game. She was followed by Thompson with 35 goals, 4 assists and 39 points, and Langguth with 32 goals, 10 assists, and 42 points.
Chaska ended the season at 7-6 (5-2 in the Metro West Conference for third place) and scored 169 goals in their 13 games, or about 18 goals per game. The team will lose six players to graduation yet will return a talented, motivated and skilled, young roster that should position Chaska well for the future of girls lacrosse.
Sectional play begins next week. Chaska will take on Holy Family (9-4) at 4 p.m. on May 27 at Chaska High School.
