The Burnsville boys lacrosse team has been a work in progress for a few years.

After three years of varsity play, head coach Jesse Schelitzche feels like the team has finally arrived.

“When we started, this core group was pretty young,” said Schelitzche, who has been coaching lacrosse at Burnsville for four years. “To see where they came from, to see them mature and become really high level lacrosse players has been great.”

The key word for the Blaze is chemistry. The players know the system and know where they’re going to be. They can play without overthinking.

The Blaze won its first five games thanks to a tight defense.

“I can’t complain about anything right now,” Schelitzche said. “They’re doing great.”

Burnsville didn’t allow more than five goals in any game so far this season until Tuesday. Burnsville suffered its first loss of the season to Apple Valley 12-11 after two overtimes.

The Blaze had most of its key starters return to the defensive end. After playing a few years of varsity lacrosse together, they found the right mix.

Griff Bartzen, Scott Wheeler and Colin Schroeder “have been the strength of our defense,” Schelitzche said.

You won’t get very far without scoring goals and that’s where guys such as Jace Childs, Neal Pester, and Bodi Engum come in.

The Blaze have scored in double digits in every game this season.

Jake Maxon and Eddie Wittchow have also stepped up their games this season.

“A big group of them attended camps and played on a traveling team during the summer,” Schelitzche said. “They all got bigger and gained weight. They’re a year older and it really paid off.”

Burnsville still has a tough schedule ahead with Eden Prairie, Eastview and Eagan looming.

“I think we can compete with them,” Schelitzche  said. “We definitely improved from last year. Last year we lost to all three. We were outplayed physically, but we’re stronger now. We can definitely run with all of them.”

Andy Rogers is at
andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com.