Eastview girls' soccer coach David Herem is quick to shoulder the blame for his squad's season-opening 2-0 loss at White Bear Lake.

"I didn't have the team ready to play," Herem said. "That's my fault. I let the team down."

Since then the Lightning has rattled off nine consecutive victories, allowing only one goal while registering eight shutouts, heading into a nonconference matchup with St. Paul Academy.

"We don't talk about wins and losses as a team," Herem said. "We just want every game to be our best."

Senior Anhthu Huynh was in goal for all eight shutouts. Only Burnsville, the Class 2A state runner-up a year ago, scored on her during the streak.

"Our back four [three graduated from last year's state tournament team] was a question mark coming into the season," Herem said. "They have been doing an awesome job, and Anhthu has been playing great."

The Lightning will face an equally tough defensive team, Lakeville North, on Thursday with first place on the line in the South Suburban Conference. Lakeville North had a string of 11 consecutive shutouts broken by Blake on Saturday.

Streak stopped

Farmington's girls' tennis team beat Red Wing for the first time since 1997, pulling out a 4-3 victory in Missota Conference play.

No. 3 singles player Callie Olm- scheid, a freshman, rallied for a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory. Olmscheid, who improved to 10-1 on the season, trailed 3-0 in the second set. The Tigers' No. 1 and No. 2 singles players, junior Megan Stivers and eighth-grader Ryan Jara, also trailed in the second set of their matchers before rallying to victories.

The Tigers' other victory was recorded by freshmen Claire Padrnos and Lindsey Fairchild at the No. 1 doubles spot.

Lightning hires coaches

Eastview announced the hiring of Kim Miklya and Brent Anderson to coach the girls' gymnastics team for the upcoming season. The tandem is meeting to discuss their specific roles.

Miklya was Apple Valley's coach from 1985 to 2002, guiding the program to two state team titles (1989 and 2001). She also coached five individual state champions.

Anderson was an assistant coach for the Lightning a year ago. He also served as Apple Valley's assistant coach from 1996 to 2004.

All in family

The Mickelson name is going to become synonymous with Lakeville South girls' soccer in the next few seasons.

Earlier this year, junior twins Emma and Rachel and freshman Addie all scored in a 6-0 nonconference victory over Rochester Century. Emma had two goals while Rachel and Addie each netted one.

Emma has four goals and two assists, Rachel two goals and six assists and Addie one goal and one assist on the season.