The Prior Lake High School girl’s soccer team is off to a strong start this season and is looking for more of the same after last year’s successful campaign. With an experienced core of returning players and a mostly new coaching staff, the Lakers believe they can compete with the top teams in the state this year.
The varsity program is now led by head coach Phil Walczak, a Prior Lake graduate who brings more than 20 years of coaching experience. Walczak most recently served as the girl’s head coach at Cretin-Derham Hall and also coaches at the St. Croix Soccer Club. Since his arrival, he has brought new energy throughout the summer training program, tryouts, and the start of the season. Joining him on the varsity staff is assistant coach Hannah Butzlaff, a former Division I player at North Dakota State. Other changes to the staff include Todd Loose taking over the B-squad and Paula Wolf leading the ninth-grade team. Longtime junior varsity coach Steve May returns once again to his familiar role.
Prior Lake graduated eight seniors from last year’s 10-5-1 team but returns a strong group of 12 seniors with significant varsity experience. Senior captain Teagan Jurek, who led the Lakers in scoring last season with 12 goals, returns to lead the attack. Fellow captains Taylor Hendrickson and Kendall Young anchor the defense, while junior captain Ali Torres adds speed and scoring ability at forward. The roster also includes four sophomores, including new starting goalkeeper Elisia Kucinski, and three talented freshmen. Many of the seniors have already committed to play at the collegiate level, giving this year’s squad both depth and leadership.
The Lakers opened the season on Aug. 21 with a dominant 5-0 home win over St. Paul Central, a new opponent and last year’s St. Paul City Conference champion with a record of 13-2-2. Kucinski earned a shutout in her varsity debut, while Torres scored twice and added an assist. Ellie Ohlmann scored once and had two assists, earning player of the game honors. Gianna Stiehm and Paige Layman also found the back of the net, while Jurek and Vada Ohlmann contributed assists.
Two days later, Prior Lake faced a big early test against Edina, the defending Section 2AAA champion and state runner-up in 2024. The Hornets finished last season with a 14-2-5 record, but this time the Lakers came away with the win. Jurek scored the opening goal off a pass from Torres, and after Edina tied the game, Ohlmann delivered the winning goal in the second half with an assist from Hendrickson. Stiehm was named the player of the game in the 2-1 victory.
The Lakers then played section opponent Waconia, on Aug. 26 and will next host White Bear Lake, a perennial state powerhouse that finished 14-1-2 last season, on Aug. 28.
With experienced leadership and a promising start, Prior Lake looks ready to take on the rest of the schedule with confidence and momentum toward a successful season.
