By Tom Schardin, Staff Writer

Clamping, clearing, cradling and the crank shot – the lingo of lacrosse.

It’s arrived at Burnsville.

The Blaze boys and girls lacrosse teams have begun their inaugural seasons as a sanctioned sport.

“My expectations going into the year are for a fan unfamiliar with Burnsville lacrosse to not notice we are a first-year program,” said Blaze boys coach Jesse Schelitzche. “I think we have great athletes and leaders who will work hard every minute of every game. What we lack in experience, I hope to make up for with hard work and grit.”

Blaze girls coach Emily LeClair understands things won’t be easy this spring, especially without one senior on her varsity roster. She’s hoping her team can win a few games but, more importantly, learn the fundamentals of the game.

“In order to stick with the other Lake Conference teams, we will focus on teaching the fundamentals but, more importantly, being well-conditioned,” said LeClair “We have a very athletic team, so the fundamental skills should come.”

Good fundamentals are one of the ingredients to score goals.

Sophomores Kelsey Steinbach and McKenzie Foster and junior Desi Murphy will be ones to watch offensively for the Blaze.

In the midfield, sophomores Kaitlyn Skogseth and Emily Lowry and junior Brianna Turnwall will try to control the play.

Protecting junior Kiersten Nelson in goal will be sophomore defensemen Cierra Walker and Brianna Thene and junior Jenna Thompson.

“We have girls that have such positive attitudes and won’t give up,” said LeClair. “They really work well as a team. We will strive to build a great team and program.”

Other members of the girls team include juniors Allison Heck and Kayla Schintz, sophomores Emily Blair, Amanda Colin, Erin Cunningham, Marissa Drummer, Liz Killian, Hanna Lysaker and Kaylee Snyder and ninth-graders Sarah Chacos and Tristyn Walczak.

For the Blaze boys, Schelitzche believes his team can be competitive with the programs that have a few more roots in the ground.

“Traditionally, the Lake Conference is very good and this year is no exception,” said Schelitzche.  “I think with the talent we have and the work ethic we possess, we can play with most of the teams in the Lake.”

Offensively, the Blaze will look to senior midfielder Nick Armstrong and sophomore attacker Luke Hendrickson to provide some scoring punch.

On defense, sophomore Griff Bartzen will be one to watch, while junior Steven Bang is the team’s No. 1 goalie.

“We also have a great group of freshmen that will see some varsity time and really set the tone for the years to come,” said Schelitzche.

Other members of the varsity team include seniors Jack Reimer, Luke Abrahamson, Ryan Krebs, Thor Olson, Sam Heer, Josh Bonewell, Dane Thompson, Matt Eul and Cory Tengwall, juniors Taylor Sturlaugson, Alex Wheeler, Eric Wittchow, Jake Clinton and Drew Koski, sophomore Kyle Eckert and ninth-grader Eddie Wittchow.

Both Blaze teams compete in Section 3. The boys field consists of Apple Valley Eagan, Eastview, Owatonna, Prior Lake, Rosemount, Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, Simley and Lakeville.

The girls field includes Bloomington Jefferson, Bloomington Kennedy, Owatonna, Prior Lake, Shattuck-Saint Mary’s St. Paul Academy/Visitation, Lakeville, Eagan/Rosemount and Apple Valley/Eastview.

The girls’ state tournament is for May 20-22 in Hopkins and Wayzata, while the boys’ tourney is May 21-23 in the same two cities.