When the Andover girls' soccer team takes the field Thursday, it will mark the Huskies' first game action in a week.

After starting the season 10-0 and climbing to No. 4 in the coaches' rankings, Andover suffered a 5-0 loss at Maple Grove on Thursday. The Huskies are eager to show what they have learned.

"I expect we will be working hard on keeping possession and having better communication," junior forward Raquel Thelen said of the week of practice leading into Thursday's Park Center game.

When the Huskies, ranked No. 8 this week, are clicking, they are tough to beat. Taylor Hedin leads the team in goals (nine) and assists (11). Thelen is second with seven goals and seven assists.

Senior centerback Jay Trossen spurs a defense that gave up only five goals through the first 10 games. And senior captain Christine Szurek can be the best overall player on the field.

Thelen spoke to Star Tribune reporter David La Vaque about the Huskies' team-first approach, starting the season 10-0 and rebounding from the Maple Grove loss.

Q Talk about what went into the team's 10-0 start to the season.

A Well, there's a lot to say so far [laughs]. We started the season off at the Irondale tournament and we beat Irondale, but we felt we could play better. Then we played East Ridge, and our coach said this would be one of the best teams we would see all year. That pumped us up to beat them, and we won 2-1. So we started the season on a good note.

Our defense hasn't allowed many goals and that's a big part of it. And our goalie, Megan Dixon, has been really amazing.

Q The victory against Centennial, which was ranked No. 1 earlier this season, made people notice Andover. What was it like walking off the field after that victory?

A It was awesome. I scored the first goal to tie it. And then we went ahead 3-1 in the second half. After the game we were all just jumping up and down screaming because it was just an awesome win. We played so well as a team.

Q Let's move on to the season's first loss. No. 4 Maple Grove is a good team, but what have you tried to take from that loss?

A We've definitely taken the idea that yes, it is our first loss, but we are just going to remain positive and keep working together. I don't think we came to play as a team. We could have came out harder and stronger and just been more ready for them.

Q How does that lack of a team effort translate into X's and O's?

A There was definitely a lack of communication in the game. We were very quiet, and we didn't have the chemistry going. We couldn't get our passing going. There were a lot of things we could have done better. It wasn't our night and that's just how it went.

Q Are you keeping a broader perspective to your loss? I mean, you can still accomplish all of your goals.

A I think, as a team, we understand we have to keep it up. We can't just say, "Oh we lost to Maple Grove so now we're going to do badly." We have to keep moving forward. We're still on top of the conference, we have three games left in the conference and we just have to work harder to win those games.

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574