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Prep soccer opening practice: A resurgence at Minneapolis Washburn

By Star Tribune, 08/15/16, 10:33PM CDT

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Both Millers programs jumped to Class 2A last season. The girls’ season ended in double overtime of the section final against Wayzata while the boys reached their first state tournament since 1989.


Juan Louis, in red shorts, took part in a drill while warming up with his teammates during the first Washburn High School boy's soccer practice Monday evening. ] JEFF WHEELER ï jeff.wheeler@startribune.com The first day of practice for high school

A soccer shift change took place around 7 p.m. Monday as the Minneapolis Washburn girls’ team exited practice and its male counterparts took the field.

Each session saw players improve their agility, ball skills and conditioning. And players on each team sensed a more confident vibe given recent success. Both Millers programs jumped to Class 2A last season. The girls’ season ended in double overtime of the section final against Wayzata while the boys reached their first state tournament since 1989.

“It’s really fun to be a soccer player at Washburn right now,” senior Max Lindemann said. “Both teams support each other.”

The teams even scrimmaged last week. But Monday meant closing ranks and getting back to work. Playing among the metro area’s largest schools by enrollment tested both Millers teams and raised their levels of play. Belief replaced last year’s nerves for each team.

“We showed we could hang with the big dogs, and we were able to push ourselves more than we thought we could,” junior Charlotte DeVaughn said.

Lindemann said: “That’s how we got a lot of our results last year — hard work and giving it your all.”

The boys’ program will receive contributions from the junior varsity and B-squad teams that each lost only once last season. On the girls’ side, senior Taylor Cottew appreciated watching a group of a half-dozen freshmen and sophomores volunteering for an extra practice session with the varsity.

“Seeing the girls improve over club season really shows because our tryouts get harder every year,” Cottew said. “It shows how much they want to go to state.”

Cottew, DeVaughn and Georgia Christman will serve as captains of the girls’ team. On the boys’ side, Lindemann, Cooper Wells and Juan Louis — a first-team coaches association all-state selection last fall — are the captains.

David La Vaque