This year, the Blackhawks boys lacrosse team is ready for another successful season, with many players showing impressive performances and a good team dynamic. The Blackhawks is a co-op with Concordia Academy, DeLaSalle, Minnehaha Academy, St. Agnes, South St. Paul and St. Croix Lutheran.
With much preparation for their first game, the Blackhawks came in hot with the scoring. The Blackhawks won their home opener against Superior High School, with the final score of 24-3. This game was not close, so everyone on the team was given opportunities to play and prove themselves. During this first game, the Blackhawks had big scorers on the field.
Attackmen Henry Hartlyn and Wyatt Hunt (from St. Croix Lutheran) were top scorers for the Blackhawks, each with five goals. The Blackhawks had an early lead of 17-0 in the first half. After a short break, the Blackhawks scored seven more goals, only allowing Superior to score three in the second half.
After last year’s success, the Blackhawks hope to have a similar season.
Defenseman Josh Halloway said: “This season, we are scheduled [to have] a bit tougher because a lot of the teams we played last year, they’re getting better and we also lost some of our good guys, but I think we’ll come out with a good record.”
“Hard work, work ethic, and attitude are the kind of things you can control. And then it’s all about respect for the game, respect for each other, and respect for your opponent. Respect for the field, the referees, and that’s what I try to instill”.
— Ben MacLean
This is the ninth year of this large co-op, and success seems to be a new and prominent component of the team. Last year the Blackhawks finished the season 12-2 and were IMAC conference champs.
With this being Coach Ben MacLean’s 20th year coaching lacrosse, he brings more than just lacrosse knowledge to his team.
MacLean said: “Hard work, work ethic, and attitude are the kind of things you can control. Then it’s all about respect for the game, respect for each other, respect for your opponent, respect for the field, [for] the referees… and that’s what I try to instill.”
Having a large co-op can be difficult, so having good team chemistry could be challenging for most teams. However, doing fun team-bonding activities has helped the Blackhawks become the team they are today.
Midfielder Richard Romans said: “Our coach has us do this thing at the start of tryouts where it’s five minutes of listening, and you have to find someone who doesn’t go to your school and isn’t your grade that you don’t know. So I guess that’s how you get to know everyone.”
The Blackhawks’ next game is Apr. 30 at 7 p.m against Hermantown at Hermantown, and they will go in with a record of 4-0.
