Eagles’ lacrosse team picked for 5th

Editor’s Note: The Badger Conference preview was compiled by Wissports.net.   Overview: In the transition to becoming a WIAA sponsored sport there are a lot of conference changes. Beginning this season the Badger Conference, formerly known as “Big Badger”, stays with the core schools. The other four Big 8 schools will not be part of the Badger Conference in 2024. Middleton, Sun Prairie, and Verona are considered Independents and Janesville (combined), was not approved as a school sponsored sport.   1. Waunakee Last Year: 18-2 Results: WLF Runner-up Champion Head Coach: John Gengler Overview: Last year’s Warriors team ran through the regular season, stacking up 16 wins with their only loss to Hudson.  They were never seriously challenged in the postseason until they met up again with Hudson in the WLF Championship game.   Looking at this upcoming season, the Warriors only lost four players to graduation and bring back some of the best talent in the state.  Now with 15 seniors and a dynamic attack line of Carter Blackburn, Gunner McFadden, and Charlie King, this year the Warriors are going to be one of the favorites to win the first-ever WIAA State Title.  While having one of the best offenses in the state, their defense is led by Nate Sampson and Wade Bryan.  Both play at a high level and can quickly turn back the opposing team.   Goalie Nate Olsen, a Big Badger second team all-conference selection, is also back.    2. DeForest Last Year: 8-11 Results: Lost Round 2 of WLF Playoffs Head Coach: Kody Sutton DeForest is a young team that is looking to prove they can be a top team in the Badger Conference.  Last year they had several key contributors that were underclassmen.   Owen Larson (Goalie, 2025), Carson Volenberg (A, 2025), Taryn Callaway (A, 2025), and Gavin Vandervelde (D, 2025) will provide balance on this young team. Add in Jake Larkosh (D, 2024) and the Norskies have the potential to surprise some teams on the schedule.   As Waunakee is the favorite in the conference, DeForest is looking to be competitive in the top half.   3. Edgewood Co-op Last Year: 12-4 Results: Lost Round 3 of WLF Playoffs Head Coach: Mike Reiter Overview: 2023 was a breakout season for Edgewood (Westside). There were several big wins along the way, but they couldn’t get past Waunakee losing to the WFL Runner-up in Round 3.  There was a lot of success to build on, but with the loss of 14 to graduation, the 2024 season is looking to be a new challenge.   In spite of losing 58% of their offensive scoring, Edgewood still has Brayden Schmidt returning looking to improve on his 2.6 goals/gm.   Cam Lockton (M, 2025) and Dylan Lenz (M, 2025) will see their role increase.  But the biggest hole to fill will be at goalie.   Gavin Hefty was dominant for Edgewood in goal last year, now senior Trent Nelson will be the primary starter in goal.   4. Oregon Co-op Last Year: 16-4 Results: Semi-final loss  Head Coach: Tim Frances Overview: The 2022 WLF Champs had a deep run last season, ultimately losing in the semi-finals to Waunakee. The deep senior class of 16 graduated from last year’s team. Oregon also has a new face at head coach, as Tim Frances is now leading the high school program.  Not many teams will have more to replace than the Panthers. Their outgoing class contributed 64% of the scoring.   Defensively isn’t any better. The two positions that the Panthers have locked in are with Logan Leatherberry (goalie) and Israel Mikkelson (M/FOS).  Both can dominate at their respective positions and will be critical in this season.   On the bright side, Oregon has nine seniors this season and a deep program to draw from. There’s just several unknowns going into this season.   5. Sauk Prairie Co-op Last Year: 6-12 Results: 2nd round loss to Oregon  Head Coach: Dylan Baier Overview: The Eagles are another team that is faced with replacing a large graduating class.  Sauk Prairie has key roles to fill, but many of this year’s sophomore class has a lot of experience to rely on.   Offensively the Eagles look for Zander Kellogg (A/2026) and Will Judge (M/2024) to fill the void. Luke Herrling (M/FOS/2025) is an all-around contributor and can impact anywhere on the field.   A big uncertainty will be to find a replacement at goalie.  The only returning players have a collective 12 minutes playing in goal last season.   6. Watertown Last Year: 0-0 Results: did not play  Head Coach: Unknown Watertown has been absent from fielding a team the last few seasons. The sport has been in the community for many years, but the Goslings are unknown going into this season.           SAUK PRAIRIE BOYS  VARSITY LACROSSE SCHEDULE April 2 vs. Waunakee 7 p.m. April 4 at DeForest 7 p.m. April 9 at Madison Edgewood 4 p.m. April 11 vs. Watertown 7 p.m. April 15 vs. Neenah 5 p.m. April 20 at Marquette 11 a.m. April 22 vs. Oregon 7 p.m. April 25 at Middleton 7:30 p.m. April 26 at Waunakee 7 p.m. April 27 at Verona Invite 9 a.m. May 3 vs. Madison Edgewood 7 p.m. May 6 at Watertown 6 p.m. May 9 vs. Verona 7 p.m. May 10 vs. DeForest 7 p.m. May 16 vs. Sun Prairie East 7 p.m. May 17 at Oregon 7:30 p.m. May 20 at Univ.School of Milwaukee, 5 p.m.        SAUK PRAIRIE BOYS       JV LACROSSE SCHEDULE April 15 vs. Neenah 7 p.m. April 20 at Marquette 1 p.m. May 9 vs. Verona 5 p.m. May 16 vs. Sun Prairie East 5 p.m.