Photo Gallery: Minnetonka vs. Chanhassen
“It just feels good. It’s a rivalry we’ve known about since eighth grade," Hodgins said of the annual nonconference game with Minnetonka. "Now, to come here as seniors and watch how much better we’ve gotten over the years, we can tell that when we face them every year and how much better we get."
Detienne relished the double-digit win, citing past losses or nail-biting wins that were far more stressful.
Hodgin is a senior attack who is set to play for Boston University next fall with twin sister Siri. Leah couldn't pinpoint one point among the 200-plus that stands out most.
She probably prefers that the most memorable points are still to come.
Chanhassen is 5-0 in the Metro West Conference with road tilts next week at fellow conference unbeaten Benilde-St. Margaret's and one-loss Bloomington Jefferson. The Storm seek not only their fifth straight outright Metro West title, but to do so yet again without a loss.
That's the prelude to the postseason. Chanhassen subsequently will look to emerge from Section 2 to compete in its first state tournament in program history.
Minnetonka is another team in Section 2 that hopes to get another crack at the Storm, which are ranked No. 1 in the state in the May 16 coaches poll.
The Skippers competed tough in the first half Friday, giving the Storm difficulty on the draw early on. Ava Wixo had two of her team-high three goals in the opening 25 minutes, including one in the final minute of the first half. Ava Rajala scored an eight-meter goal as time expired for one of her two total to pull Minnetonka within 7-4 at the break.
"I think the first half really showcased what we’re capable of," Minnetonka coach Krista Crandall said. "Second half, we just got a little down. Coming back for sections, we hope to meet them again and have our head in it in the whole game."
Crandall's team began the season 5-0 with all wins by multiple goals. Competition stiffened and adversity came, but she marvels at the team's attitude regardless of circumstance.
Having fun is a priority for the Skippers. Whether it's a pregame dance party, personalized handshakes during lineup introductions or an impromptu back flip by a team member to lighten the mood at halftime Friday, there are smiles to go around.
"One of our coaches turned to me during the lineup and said ‘It’s too bad we don’t have any fun,’ totally sarcastic," Crandall said. "Our team is so much fun and they love each other so much. I don’t think I’ve coached a team that loves each other so much."
There was plenty of love to go around on the Chanhassen side Friday, too. Detienne joined four teammates in notching a hat trick. Gabby Bjugan and Leah Hodgins had four. Allie Welder had the game's first two as part of three total, and Siri Hodgins also had three.
Defenders senior Baillie Whalen and junior Tatumn Nyen are co-captains along with the Hodgins twins on attack.
"We’ve been focusing on defense all year," Chanhassen coach Rachel Panner said. "Even though our attack gets a lot of attention, it’s our defense that’s kept us and turned over the ball and pushed the momentum toward our attack."
Whalen, Nyen and company establish the line of defense for sophomore goalie Katie Colleran. She made 7-of-15 saves (.555) Friday and has been instrumental to keep the program rolling in the absence of 2022 graduate and Minnesota Ms. Goalkeeper Kaylyn Carter.
Colleran maintains a .550 save percentage on the season with one shutout.
"It’s been crazy to watch her confidence grow from day one at tryouts to where we are now," Detienne said. "From the team’s support, her confidence has skyrocketed and you can tell watching her play."
Leah Hodgins has been making waves on varsity since eighth grade, but that's far from the norm. Colleran was ready when her turn came this year.
"She’s just a sophomore in her first year on varsity and she’s just like the backbone of this team," Leah Hodgins said.
Panner said Chanhassen has sought permission to play its section games at nearby Chaska High School. It'd beat having to travel to the lower seed, but she's prepped her squad well either way.
"It’s been an unfortunate year. We didn’t have a lot of home games to begin with, and we lose the last week of the season getting new turf," Panner said. "We should wrap up the number one seed in sections, but we won’t have a home field advantage. Good thing we’ve played well on the road all year."