Having to play in arguably the strongest lacrosse conference in the state, and with only two seniors returning to the varsity roster in 2014, the Lakeville North Panther lacrosse team has its work cut out for itself this spring.

After a disappointing 2013 season in which the North lacrosse team went 6-7, the Panthers know they will be seen as “underdogs” for most of the 2014 season.

“We know that within our conference right now in the preseason polls, five teams from the South Suburban conference are in the top ten with another non-conference opponent in that mix as well,” Coach Jeff Wright said of his team’s upcoming season. “We have a tough schedule ahead of us.”

The North lacrosse team has wasted no time in getting ready for the daunting season that faces them, knowing that it’s not going to take some secret formula to find success, just sweat and determination.

“We’re really just trying to work hard,” sophomore Luke Anderson said. “We want to unify as a team right away so we’ll have success later.”

The Panthers may have lost a strong senior class, but integral pieces from last season still remain in tact. Junior captain Roman Rohrbach returns as the team’s leading scorer from the attack position where the coaching staff expects Rohrbach to be “dominant” for the Panthers.

Fellow junior Bryce Bouman will be back in net after a strong varsity season as a sophomore finishing in the top three in the South Suburban with a save percentage of .615. While it was a fantastic season for Bouman, complacency isn’t an option for North’s goaltender.

“I’m always looking to improve and get a little bit better,” he said. “This year I’m hoping to maybe take that top save percentage spot. For me, I feel like that’s just going to take continuing to work and stay focused every practice.“

Last season, the talent was there for the Panthers, but the inability to put it all together cost the lacrosse team a trip to the state tournament. Going into the 2014 season, team leaders like Rohrbach are making sure the team doesn’t repeat the mistakes of the past.

“We were unfocused at times last year, I feel like,” said Rohrbach. “If we stay focused every practice, hustle in every drill, we’ll succeed.”

The 2013-2014 school year has been a busy one for Lakeville North sports. 13 teams have qualified for state with boys basketball winning their first ever state championship, on top of second place finishes by girls soccer and boys hockey, a third place finish for girls hockey, and a fourth place finish for girls basketball. Falling short of a trip to the state tournament last year after losing 7-10 to Rochester Mayo in the section championship, there is extra motivation to be included on this prestigious list.

“I know for a fact they want to be a part of it,” said Coach Wright. “They saw the girls (lacrosse) team go last year and take second place. We feel like we have a chance. It’ll be nothing easy. We’re going to have to fight each and every game.”

Despite the team’s desire to continue the success North has had, they know not to get too far ahead of themselves as they begin a new era of Lakeville North Panther boys lacrosse.

“Our new motto is ‘new day’,” said Coach Wright. “We’re just looking to take our season one day at a time.”