Two games is a small sample size, but it is hard not to get excited about the prospects for the boys’ soccer team this fall after an impressive start. Forest Lake opened the season with home wins over Anoka and Centennial. The Tornadoes and the Cougars finished first and second in the Northwest Suburban Conference a year ago, when they combined to outscore the Rangers 13-0 in two games.

Mitch Tessier heads the ball during the season-opening win last Thursday.
(Photo by Clint Riese)

If Forest Lake and Andover meet again in a month and a half, much more will be on the line than what was at stake in last Friday’s triangular at the high school. The two schools could be among the final Section 7AA teams battling for a bid to the state girls’ tennis meet.

The Rangers, though, have to be thrilled with the 4-3 victory they earned over the Huskies in their first home event of the season.

Jade Haseltine fires a backhand during Friday's home triangular.
(Photo by Clint Riese)

It can only get easier from here. 

The Ranger soccer girls had the unpleasant task of opening the 2010 campaign against No. 9 Centennial Monday night. The Cougars return just about everyone from a squad that went 15-3-2 and lost in overtime at state last fall.

Sophomore Goalie Amy Enrooth slides for the ball during the season-opening loss to Centennial.
(Photo by Clint Riese)

The Ranger cross country boys may have ruined some new pairs of shoes at the season-opening Extreme Meet in River Falls, WI last Thursday, but they had a good time doing it. 

“They were kind of on Cloud Nine afterwards because they had such good time of it,” said coach Deno Johnson.

Junior Joe Jackson led Forest Lake with a fourth-place finish at the Extreme Meet.
(Photo submitted)

Work hard. Keep your head up. Remember it’s just a game.

These pearls from the coaching lexicon have been  echoing around North Lakes Academy for the last few weeks as the Forest Lake charter school gears up for its third full year of varsity athletics.

“For a young program and the size of our school, we actually offer a lot more sports than some of the other schools around us,” notes activities coordinator Jeff Beimert.

Brooke Unze serves during a volleyball match last year. The volleyball program is NLA’s biggest, with over 25 girls out. 
(Photo submitted)