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Wayzata girls' soccer still in the hunt

By ELLIOTT FIFER, Star Tribune, 09/13/11, 11:55AM CDT

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Wayzata still has championship aspirations this season even though it lost several key players to graduation.

Having been to the Class 2A championship match in each of the past two seasons, it's no secret Wayzata will field a strong girls' soccer team again this year.

But after losing some key parts of last year's runner-up squad, the Trojans know they have their work cut out for them. Attacker Taylor Wodnick and goalkeeper Megan Pyrz, both members of last season's coaches association all-state team, have graduated, as did attacker Sarah Guidera, who received all-state honorable mention.

Coach Tony Peszneker, in his 22nd season at Wayzata, said the loss of offensive firepower and a great keeper are nothing more than obstacles for his team to overcome.

"Obviously our goal is, like every other school, is to get back [to the state championship game]," Peszneker said. "It's very difficult to get back for a third year in a row, so we have a lot that we've got to do to get back there. We know it's going to be a tough season."

The main issue for Wayzata is how quickly a younger core of players will be able to gel -- and score goals.

"The question for us is going to be which players we can move to other spots. Obviously we can't play people all in the same position," Peszneker said. "Although we lost a lot of scoring, I think defensively we're still very good. Our big issues are going to be on the attack."

With their recent track record, Peszneker also said he thinks the Trojans will see everyone's best effort, a sentiment with which junior co-captain Kylie Schwarz agreed.

"The more state championships you go to, the bigger the target gets on your back," said Schwarz, who has been to the state championship in both of her years on varsity and was also a member of last year's all-state team. "So we have a pretty big target on us now, and I think that this season is going to be a battle."

Both Edina (5-0-2) and Wayzata (6-0-1) entered the week unbeaten -- so to Schwarz, Thursday's matchup with the Hornets is her team's first big test.

"The game against Edina is really going to set the bar for the rest of the season. We've played some good teams, but we haven't played against a team that's as quality as Edina yet," said Schwarz, who is tied for the team lead with three goals. "The way we play on Thursday really sets the tone for the rest of the season."

While the players will be ready to go, Peszneker stressed it is still only a regular-season contest, and should be used as a measuring stick more than anything.

"It is a big game, but it certainly is not a do-or-die for either team. We've had a rivalry with Edina for years and years, and if we don't come to play, we're going to be in trouble," Peszneker said. "In our conference, every game is going to be tough, and Edina is no exception."