Minnetonka Girls Seek Hockey Repeat

MINNETONKA, Minn - Getting to the top is difficult, staying there can at times be a greater challenge. For the Minnetonka Skippers, last season was a magical one. Their only loss was to Shattuck St. Mary's, and they won the state tournament in thrilling fashion over their number one rival Edina. The team boasted top line seniors, who led the way when it mattered for the Skippers. In short, the team was a confident bunch. They began the the season as the top ranked team, and stayed there the entire year.

This year, the team returns many key players from a year ago. Eric Johnson's team will be strong on the blue line with Sidney Morin, Sydney Baldwin and Hannah Behounek returning. Up front, last years leading scorer Laura Bowman (23 goals 30 assists) is back to lead the offensive attack. Now a captain, Bowman feels the team will be solid again this year.

"We're a pretty confident team. We had a scrimmage last Friday and it gave us the confidence to start the season off good," said Baldwin. "We did lose a lot of players, but we have a good goalie coming up and have some solid leaders on the team and we have some solid underclassmen that are going to help us fill those spots."

The roster boasts only three seniors, including assistant captain Hadley Cookson who says the experience gained from last season will carry over to this years team.

"I think its easier to come in after we've won it. We know what it takes and it also gives us motivation to do it again," said Cookson "We would all love to do it again, and that is what we are pushing ourselves to do."

Junior forward Amy Peterson knows plenty about scoring in big games. The now junior was a superstar in the state title game a season ago, factoring in all three of the Skippers goals against Edina. Peterson tallied 11 points in the postseason for the Skippers (4 goals, 7 assists),and has experienced the pressure of being the top team in the state.

"I think there is always a little pressure when you start off being number one. You've got some expectations to live up to, but we're trying not to think about that and just work hard every day," said Peterson. "We know the routine and how hard we need to work to get there."

Junior Sydney Rossman and sophomore Hannah Ehresmann take over in goal for the Skippers. Both were top goalies at the U16 and U15 levels, and both will be critical pieces to the puzzle for Minnetonka this season.

Tuesday night, the Skippers will raise the banners that the program won a season ago including their first state championship. As the banners raise to the rafters of the Pagel Activity Center, this years team will be down on the ice trying to create their own magic.