Section CliffsNotes: Section 8
2022 Section 8 Seedings
1. Elk River/Zimmerman (15-4)
2. Buffalo (8-8)
3. STMA (8-7)
4. Monticello (8-6)
5. Moorhead (9-6)
6. Brainerd (9-6)
7. Becker (6-9)
8. St. Cloud (6-9)
9. Big Lake (4-10)
10. Sauk Rapids (2-11)
11. Rocori (0-14)
2023 MPM’s Section 8 Top 4
1. Buffalo
2. Elk River/Zimmerman
3. STMA
4. Moorhead
Source’s Source’s Top 4
1. Elk River/Zimmerman
2. Buffalo
3. STMA
4. Moorhead
Section Preview
All the teams are really close in Section 8, so it seems like an opportunity to mix things up a little. The Source and the Source’s Source have the same 4 teams, just swapped the top two.
1 – Buffalo (2022 2 seed in section, 8-8)
Yes - Buffalo girls are in section 8. We think that Bison Blvd is going to carry over to the girl’s side. Lots of offense returning in Buffalo for their senior year, and BOTH of their goalies from last year return. Krista Crandall takes over the HC role, we expect her to bring the same top tier stick skills that she coached her team in Minnetonka, to migrate west to Buffalo.
Source’s Source’s Notes: new coach, don’t lose much offense. One Eastern Michigan (DI) commit in 2023 class; last year was routed by ERZ. I doubt the same score this year but can they make up a 20 point differential? They have a tough conference which is a slog which helps in Sections but I don’t think they can make up the difference quite yet when they meet ERZ in the Section Final game.
Lost:
Izabella Weiche – 41 points
5 Defenders
Returning:
’23 Eleanor Toussaint – 68 points (D1 Eastern Michigan)
’25 Bailey Mischke – 47 points
’23 Victoria Viteri – 26 points
’24 Scarlett Peterson – 22 points
’24 Evita Weiche – 21 points
’26 Aurora Meyer – GK 49.3%
’25 Marlee Walker – GK 59.6%
2 – Elk River/Zimmerman (2022 1 seed in section, 15-4)
Another team returning a lot of offense, but they are losing their goalie. They lose a little more offense than Bison Blvd, but ERZ has the best player in the section returning in Adria Kotzian (D1 American). It’s the offense they’re losing and the goalie situation that had us place them in the #2 slot. Our source does make a good point – is this going to be enough for Buffalo to overcome ER/Z? We say yes.
Source’s Source’s Notes: Lost a lot of defense but can still score with top 6 of 10 scorers returning-some players on team have 5 years playing on varsity even with a huge (and talented) 2022 class. These players have been sitting behind a big 2022 class and will get their chance to shine. Can they? Remains to be seen. Adria K is a great shooter, but can distribute the ball nicely. Goalie and defense could be issues but have couple 2-year starters coming back so not completely green. I think they win Section 8 over Buffalo in a 14-8 final. State may be tough depending on if they can improve quickly as the season goes on.
Lost:
Annika Wozney – 45 points (D1 Eastern Michigan)
Madelyn Christian – 34 points
Addy Soukup - 31 points
Kayleigh Nelson – Defender (D2 CSP)
Claire Flahaven – Defender (D2 CSP)
Breanne Plude – GK 52.5%
Returning:
’23 Adria Kotzian – 88 points (D1 American)
’25 Lilly Osterman – 32 points
’23 Isabella Dols – 32 points
’24 Morgan Peterson – 31 points
’24 Katelyn Wozney – 19 points
3 – STMA (2022 3 seed in section, 8-7)
Beats out Moorhead only because of their goalie returning and Moorhead’s is not. STMA loses more offense than MH, but have two 2025 goalies. Loses a little bit of everything, but a lot of the offense is coming back in (2) 2023s. Need some more to step up to take the pressure off those two.
Source’s Source’s notes: return a lot of their players-may make some noise in the Section but lose to Buffalo or ERZ in semis
Lost:
Maddy Arro – 22 points
Allie Lombardi – 21 points
Sydney Peterson – 19 points (D3 Augsburg)
2 Defenders
Returning:
’23 Molly Ruhland – 52 points
’23 Lauren Hoselton – 41 points
’27 Piper Peterson – 21 points
’25 Kat Rice – GK 42.6%
4 - Moorhead (2022 5 seed in section, 9-6)
It gets tricky here, so we give credit to the best girls MN lax twitter account out there, @LaxMoorhead over Monticello. We really hope that their social media person is back (along with virtually all their offense)…because their goalie isn’t back. Their leading point scorer last year is a 2025 – worth noting…new HC (younger than Carly Goetz in Chan!) and we expect a TON of goals from this squad.
Source’s Source’s Notes: Have a talented 2025 (Sydney Martinson), but still don’t quite have the depth to get beyond semis
Lost:
2 goalies
2 Defenders
Returning:
’25 Sydney Martinson – 43 points
’23 Ava Nelson – 29 points
’23 Sophia Swanson – 28 points
’24 Abby Karpius – 22 points
’23 Allie Retzer – Defender (D3 College of St. Benedict’s)
Others
Becker - Source’s Source’s notes: lost 2-13 to Buffalo-do not list grades and limited stats so no idea if they graduated anyone.
Big Lake - Source’s Source’s notes: not a great season for them last year-very young-maybe can improve on last year’s 4-10 season.
Brainerd - Source’s Source’s notes: played well against some decent teams but lost the top 2 of 3 scorers.
Monticello - Source’s Source’s notes: keep some offense but don’t have the depth to make a run.
Rocori - Source’s Source’s notes: did not win a game last year.
Stormin Sabres - Source’s Source’s notes: only had 2 wins last year-both against Rocori.
St Cloud Area - Source’s Source’s notes: lost 0-23 to ERZ in their Section game ☹ Enough said.