Last season the boys' lacrosse team broke ground within the program. Wide-eyed and eager, the Irish quickly garnered statewide recognition, powered by high scoring, skill and a blossoming core.

Rosemount was ranked high among Minnesota's top high school programs before suffering a 14-13 season-ending loss to Burnsville in the section playoffs. At the time, the Irish were ranked No. 1.

It was all a learning experience.

"We had never cusped on the top 10 before; that was new to us," Irish coach Lance Kuehn said. "The high-stakes games were new territory for us. I think now, as a coaching staff and as a program, we know what it's like.

"You kind of have to lose a game to realize how to win those games."

Fortunately for the Irish, they didn't lose anyone to graduation. So that first-year experience still resonates with nearly every member of this year's squad.

During the team's postseason meeting, the boys knew scoring wasn't their problem. Their five leading scorers were returning, and all of them amassed more than 40 points in the 2011 season.

It was time to shore up the team's overall game, specifically on the defensive side.

"We lost that section playoff game not because we didn't score enough goals. It was because we let up too many," Kuehn said. "Most teams should be able to win when you score in double digits. We didn't."

The three core starters -- seniors Matt Larson, Gabe Moulier and Jake O'Malley -- got varsity experience together last year. Kuehn calls them "the Force, the Speed and the Brains," and says they have learned to work as a cohesive unit. Larson uses his size and strength, Moulier brings quickness and speed, and O'Malley communicates specific orders for the entire unit.

The coaching staff added new defensive schemes and replaced the ballhandlers with defensive specialists to help shore up their own end. Team defense is still a work in progress but has improved considerably.

Offensively, they wanted to focus more on ball control, possession and setting up plays. That meant changes, even for the team's leading scorer, Matt Weller.

Time to slow down.

"Last year we were a run-and-gun offense," said Weller, who will play Division II lacrosse at St. Leo's in Florida next season. "We'd normally just get fast-break goals. We weren't very good at settling it."

The Irish are settling in more than ever with set possession plays and strategic ball movement. They're focused on holding the ball for more than two minutes in the offensive zone, which also allows the defense to rest. That means Weller has transitioned into more of a playmaker. With 22 goals and 16 assists through six games, he's OK with that.

"I love doing it," he said. "I'd way rather get an assist over a goal. You're the one setting it all up."

With talented threats Grant Vanoverbeke, twins Carter and Connor Yepsen, Jake Mortenson and Logan Lindberg, the Irish bring a challenging matchup for any opposing defense.

Rosemount also added both face-off and conditioning coaches to elevate each area of the Irish's game.

"We're reaping the benefits of it now," Kuehn said.