Down on their luck Wildcats lose to winless Willmar
The Wildcat offense ran just twelve plays against the Willmar Cardinals in the first half last Friday night, and, obviously, it’s hard to score much when you don’t have the ball. Willmar scored twice in the last four minutes of the first half and beat the Wildcats 21-14 in the final home game of the year for the Wildcats. The Wildcats will almost certainly start the upcoming section playoffs on the road.
SOCCER POSTSEASON ROUND UP
All four of the local high school soccer teams opened their section playoffs on Tuesday, October 8. The only one of the four teams to win and stay alive in the playoffs were the Chisago Lakes girls.
Providence Academy spoils Chisago Lakes’ perfect record
The Wildcats suffered their first loss of the season last Friday night, falling to the Providence Academy Lions 28-18 at Providence Academy in Plymouth. The Lions scored early, and the Wildcats never led in this one.
AREA SOCCER ROUND UP
The Viking girls’ soccer team improved their record to 2-3-3 on the season with a win and a tie over the last week. On Saturday, September 14 they shut out the Sauk Rapids-Rice Storm 3-0 at home. And on Monday, September 16, they tied the Becker Bulldogs 2-2.
Girls run unbeaten streak to six
Determined to extend their four-game winning streak, the Wildcats faced off against a much-improved Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets team at Cambridge last Thursday. The Wildcats won 3-2 to keep the streak going.
Turnovers and run game propel CL to 2-0 start
After allowing the Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets to score 13 straight points in the second quarter to cut the Wildcats lead to 21-20 at halftime, the Wildcats came out on fire in the third quarter. They forced several turnovers and scored on their first four possessions to take a 48-20 lead and went on to win 48-33 in front of the home crowd on Friday, September 6.
‘Cats clip Falcons to open 2024 season
Bender-Ehlke runs for 162 yards as Chisago Lakes wins 28-8 over Foley
Fullback Braxton Bender-Ehlke rushed 19 times for 162 yards and a touchdown to lead the Wildcat football team to a 28-8 win over the Foley Falcons in the season opener last Friday, August 29 at Foley High School. Quarterback Kellen Meissner added 68 yards on 18 carries and scored twice as the Wildcats piled up 312 yards rushing, controlling the ball for most of the game.
Bulldogs fall just short of state, but season still a success
Last Saturday at Brennan Field in Hinckley, the Bulldogs had a thrilling 6-2 comeback win in their Region1C elimination bracket game against the Ramsey Renegades. But in their semifinal game against the Rum River Bandits later that afternoon, they allowed six runs in the first inning and never quite got caught up, losing 11-6 and ending their season.
Bulldogs survive six errors to knock out Lumberjacks
Tyler Stilp drove in pinch runner Jack Boeck to break a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning, and the Bulldogs went on to beat the Elk River Lumberjacks 7-5 in the opening game of the 2024 Region 1C Playoffs. Hunter Lindstrom pitched 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win. The game was played Saturday, July 27 at Mark Park in Princeton.
Bulldogs fall to fourth seed
The Bulldogs, with the number two seed in the Eastern Minny South playoffs seemingly wrapped up, had a strange week and, when it was all over, dropped to the number four seed in the South. Last Wednesday, they committed ten errors and lost 7-4 to a weak Ogilvie team. On Friday, they beat the Princeton Panthers 9-6. The Panthers had clinched the top seed Eastern Minny League North the night before. And on Sunday, with the number two seed still in their grasp, they lost 7-5 to the St. Francis Silverbacks, largely as the result of three stellar plays by Silverback outfielders early in the game, errors, and some bad calls by a seemingly biased umpire.
Bulldogs clip Nighthawks to claim Mug
The Mug is a traveling trophy, provided by Pizza Pub, fought over between the Chisago Lakes Bulldogs and their arch rival, the North Branch Nighthawks, in the annual Mug Game. The Nighthawks won The Mug for the first five years of the annual game, and Nighthawk players over 21 got to drink out of The Mug before it was displayed along with other trophies at the North Branch Pizza Pub. The Bulldogs finally won The Mug this year in an epic pitcher’s duel that included some controversy, defeating the Nighthawks 3-1 this past Saturday, July 13 at Pat Collins Field. This year’s game was an official Karl Oskar Days event. Beau Fandel threw a complete game one-hitter for the Bulldogs to get the win, and Jimmy Skroch, the winning pitcher for the Nighthawks in all five of the previous Mug Games, took the complete game loss.
Bulldogs win four Eastern Minny games in a row
Hunter Lindstrom pitched a complete game, and Reed Marquardt’s two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the third put the Bulldogs up 3-0 over the Ramsey Renegades as the Bulldogs went on to beat the Renegades 5-1 on Wednesday, June 26 at Pat Collins Field at Chisago Lakes High School. The sidearming Lindstrom kept Ramsey off balance all night. He allowed one earned run on five hits, didn’t walk anyone, and struck out eight.
Bulldogs still finding footing with busy schedule
A revised catcher’s interference call allowed the go-ahead run to score for the Osceola Braves in the bottom of the eighth inning, and the lead held, as the Braves beat the Bulldogs 4-3 Wednesday, May 29 at Oakey Park in Osceola, Wisconsin.
Wildcats fall short in consolation bracket
In the opening game of the Section 7AAA baseball playoffs, the third-seeded Duluth Denfeld Hunters had just six hits. But Wildcat pitchers walked eight batters and hit one, and five of those nine batters scored as the Hunters beat the Wildcats 6-2 Tuesday, May 28 at Duluth. Caden Gibbs drove in one Wildcat run with a first inning single, and Kellen Meissner drove in the other with a groundout in the top of the seventh. The loss sent the Wildcats to the elimination bracket, but they actually got a home game as the higher seed, after seventh-seeded Cloquet lost their playoff opener to second-seeded Hermantown.
‘Dogs win ugly 12-10 against Metro Knights
Clint Eastwood starred in the movie “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” The Bulldogs’ game against the Metro Knights last Monday, May 20, contained all three of those elements.
Wildcats struggle late
The Coon Rapids Cardinals broke open a close game with four runs in the bottom of the sixth and shut out the Wildcats 5-0 Wednesday, May 22 at Coon Rapids High School. Coon Rapids pitching held the Wildcats to just three hits and six baserunners overall.
Wildcats finish second at true team state
The Wildcats girls finished second to Rocori at the True Team State Tournament last Saturday, May 18 at Stillwater High School. The Wildcats edged out Byron by just 1 ½ points for second, showing once again how every athlete finishing an event, no matter how far back they are, can make a difference in a True Team event since every finishing athlete is awarded team points.
Showers goes yard for CL to walk off on Vikings
The Monticello Magic erupted for five runs in the top of the fifth inning and went on to beat the Wildcats 8-2 on Tuesday, May 14 at Pat Collins Field at Chisago Lakes High School. The Wildcats led 2-1 going into the fifth. But three singles, a hit batter, a walk, and a double given up by starting pitcher Xavier Taylor led to four Magic runs with no outs. Another run scored on a groundout, and Monticello led 6-2. They added two more runs in the seventh to make the final score 8-2. Caden Gibbs singled in one of the Wildcats runs, and Ian Larsen drove in the other one with a sacrifice fly.
Injuries a factor in late season swoon for ‘Cats
Playing without injured star pitcher Anna Zaruba, the Wildcats lost to the Rock Ridge Wolverines 7-1 on Wednesday, May 15 at Chisago Lakes High School. Only three of the seven runs allowed by Wildcat pitcher Makenna Thorsen were earned. The Wildcats scored their only run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jesa Leritz led off the inning with a single. Morgan Kotval sacrificed her to second. Leritz stole third and, one out later, scored on a single by Sam Johnson.
Chisago Lakes reigns over Mississippi 8, again
Melana Larson’s two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the third broke a 1-1 tie and the Wildcats went on to beat the Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets 3-1 Wednesday, May 8 at Chisago Lakes. Makenna Thorsen started and went the first three innings. She allowed one earned run on four hits, walked three and struck out one. Anna Zaruba picked up the win in four innings of relief. She allowed no runs on three hits, walked none, and struck out seven.
Chisago Lakes bests North Branch, again
The Chisago Lakes Wildcats beat their archrivals for the second time this season, shutting out the North Branch Vikings 4-0 this past Monday, May 6 at Chisago Lakes High School. Makenna Thorsen pitched a shutout for the Wildcats. She allowed ten hits, walked two and struck out three, and pitched her way out of a few jams. Hannah Bernier took the loss for the Vikings. She allowed four earned runs on six hits, walked two and struck out nine.
Girls win Cardinal Invite
As the track season heads for the postseason in the very near future, the Wildcats seem to be hitting their stride. The girls won the nine-team Coon Rapids Invitational last Friday, May 3, and the boys came in third on their side of things.
Wildcats trade games in Bluejacket doubleheader
In the first game of a doubleheader at Cambridge-Isanti High school, Xavier Taylor tossed a four-hitter to lead the Wildcats to a 6-1 win over the Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets on Wednesday, May 1. Taylor allowed one earned run on four hits, walked three and struck out seven in picking up the win.
Bulldogs kick off season with tight loss to Andover
Coming off their first state tournament appearance since they were revived in 2014, the Bulldogs upped their pre-playoff schedule from to 40 games this season. They were scheduled to start April 28th, which would have been their earliest game ever, but the game against Champlin Park was rained out. So, they opened the season on Sunday, May 5 against the Andover Aces at the Andover High School field.
‘Cats still going strong in conference play
Anna Zaruba went five for five and drove in six runs to lead the Wildcats to a 13-5 rout over the Zimmerman Thunder Tuesday, April 23 at Chisago Lakes High School. The Wildcats pounded out 21 hits against the Thunder pitcher. Other hitting stars for the Wildcats included Jesa Leritz, who went five for five with two doubles and scored three runs; Meagan Anderson, who had three doubles in four at bats, drove in two runs and scored two; Jess Dittel-Hoefler, who had three hits, including a double, drove in three runs and scored three runs; Courtney Preston, who drove in two runs with a double; and Sam Johnson, who went three for five and scored twice.
‘Cats getting back on track
The Wildcats pounded out 12 hits and took advantage of six walks as they silenced the Zimmerman Thunder 13-3 Tuesday, April 23 at Pat Collins Field at Chisago Lakes High School, in a game shortened to five innings because of the ten-run rule.
Area athletes perform at Hamline
Junior distance runner Biruk Killeen won two races at the 12-team Pine City Chengwatana Invite. He came in first in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:07.76 and led the way in the 1600-meter run with a time of 4:42.93.
CL claws back from four run deficit to beat NB
There is never a dull moment when the Chisago Lakes Wildcats and North Branch Vikings clash in softball, and this past Monday’s game was no exception. Anna Zaruba’s two-run double in the top of the seventh inning gave the Wildcats a 5-4 lead, and they went on to beat the Vikings 6-4. Zaruba pitched a complete game to pick up the win, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits. She struck out ten and didn’t walk anybody. For the Vikings, Hannah Bernier – who had a shutout through five innings – took the complete game loss. She allowed six earned runs on ten hits, walked three and struck out seven.
North Branch beats ‘Cats 1-0 on walk off
With the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Viking Tanner Helin hit a grounder back Wildcat pitcher Ian Larsen, and the throw was too late to get Noah Thorsen at home, giving the Vikings a 1-0 win over the Wildcats at North Branch High School Monday, April 15. Helin started for the Vikings and went five innings. He allowed four hits, walked three and struck out eight. Andrew Orf picked up the win with three innings of scoreless relief. He allowed two hits, walked three, and struck out two. Xavier Taylor started for the Wildcats. He allowed five hits, walked two and struck out seven. Larsen took the loss in relief, walking the first three batters he faced before Helin grounded it back to him to drive in the winning run. Dom Torrez and Cole Stilp had two hits apiece for the Wildcats, and Viking Lucas Goggin also had two hits, including a double.
CL softball hitting on all cylinders early
Last Saturday, April 20, the Wildcats headed down to Caswell Park in North Mankato, site of their second-place finish at the state tournament last year, to play in the Mankato West Scarlet Invitational. Mankato West won two games in the tournament, giving head coach Don Krusemark his 500th career victory.
Franconia Township annual meeting
The Franconia Township annual meeting, held Tuesday, March 12 at the Franconia Town Hall spent most of the peoples’ time on the most popular topic on the agenda — the future town hall. Supervisor Owen Kuhnly reported that progress has recently been made on the site plan, which needs to be completed before bids can be solicited. Potential funding sources were also discussed.
Wildcats stunned by SSP in playoff opener
Roddick Simons had the most prolific game of his career at Aldrich Arena on Friday, February 23, with four goals and an assist. Unfortunately, Simons plays for the South St. Paul Packers, and his scoring binge led the sixth-seeded Packers to a 5-3 upset of the third-seeded Wildcats in the quarterfinal round of the Section 4A boys’ hockey playoffs. The loss abruptly ended the season for the Wildcats, who appeared to be poised to make a deep playoff run.
Both wrestling teams fall in quarters
The third-seeded Wildcat wrestling team opened the Section 4AA team section tournament with a 48-30 win over sixth-seeded St Paul Humboldt-Open World Learning. The tournament was held Saturday, February 17 at South St. Paul High School.
Girls hockey season ends
After the Wildcats had tied the game at 3-3 just 40 seconds earlier, the South St. Paul Packers scored at 13:03 of the third period to go up 4-4 and went on to beat the Wildcats 5-3 in the semifinals of the Section 4A tournament on Tuesday, February 13 at Doug Woog Arena in South St. Paul. The loss ended the season for the Wildcats.
Wildcats begin sections
The Providence Academy Lions scored an empty-net goal with eight seconds remaining to seal a 6-4 win over the Wildcats in the final regular season game for both teams. The game was played Thursday, February 15 at the Plymouth Ice Center.
CL BOYS HOCKEY: ‘Cats continue up and down season
The Wildcats and the Hastings Raiders skated to a 3-3 overtime tie Tuesday, February 6 at Chisago Lakes Arena. The Raiders outshot the Wildcats 44-27 for the game, but Wildcats goalie Corbin Shandley helped to keep his team in the game by stopping 44 of the 47 shots he faced.
Regular season ends with whimper for Northern Edge
Nobody on the ice had a reason to be proud of their performance when the Northern Edge played the Becker/Big Lake Eagles Thursday, February 8 at Princeton First Bank & Trust Ice Arena. There were 26 penalties in the game, including 10 penalties as a brawl erupted after time expired in the third period. The Eagles won the game 9-2.
Wildcats blank Visitation in section opener but fall in semis
In the quarterfinals of the Section 4A playoffs, the third-seeded Wildcat girls’ hockey team crushed the sixth-seeded Visitation Blazers 11-0.
NB builds big lead in low weights, holds on to beat CL
The Wildcats and Vikings met as part of the Princeton Triangular on Wednesday, January 31 and the Vikings prevailed 39-36. Of the 13 weights, two were forfeits, one was a decision and the other ten were pins.
Vikes take two of three at quad
The Viking wrestling team went 2-1 in a quadrangular hosted by Spectrum High School at Spectrum Middle School in Elk River last Thursday, January 25. The Vikings lost to Ogilvie 44-24, beat Spectrum 48-30, and crushed an undermanned Columbia Heights team 69-6. Evan Pommier (152/160) and Karson Gariepy (215) both went 3-0 for the day. The Vikings filled every spot in their lineup for all three duals, with the exception of the 285 (heavyweight) spot.
Offensive explosion leads to a split for Wildcat hockey
Max Bobrowski completed his first career hat trick with a goal at 4:40 of overtime to give the Wildcats a 5-4 win over the Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets Tuesday, January 16 at Chisago Lakes Arena. Jack Bakken was involved in all five Wildcat goals, with two goals and three assists. And Ben Kerkow ad three assists of his own.
Section playoffs on the horizon for girls hockey
Grace Schulte scored the first goal against eighth-ranked South St. Paul just two minutes into the first period, assisted by Brooke Klemz, to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. But the Packers broke the game wide open with five goals in the second period and went on to beat the Wildcats 8-1 at Doug Woog Arena in South St. Paul. The Parkers outshot the Wildcats 28-13 for the game.
Chisago Girls hockey slips after huge win over Princeton
Wildcat sophomore sensation Ella Perreault didn’t just score a hat trick against the Princeton/Big Lake/Becker Tigers on Tuesday, January 9. She scored what amounted to a double hat trick – six goals, including five goals in a ten-minute span in the first period, as the Wildcats crushed the overwhelmed Princeton/Big Lake/Becker Tigers 11-1 on Tuesday, January 9 at Princeton First Bank and Trust Ice Arena.
Bender earns 100th career win for Chisago Lakes wrestling in busy week
The Wildcats won both of their dual meets at the Benilde-St. Margaret’s Triangular on Thursday, January 11. They beat the hosts 48-30 and prevailed 54-18 over Minneapolis Southwest.
Girls narrowly lose to ER & PC
Abby Hansberger scored a power play goal with three minutes to go in the game to give the Elk River Elks a 3-2 win over the Wildcats on Tuesday, January 4 at Furniture and Things Community Event Center in Elk River.
CL sweeps home triangular
The Wildcats conjured up a win in the first dual of the Chisago Lakes Triangular last Thursday, prevailing over the Monticello Magic 39-27. Four Wildcats won their matches by pin – Braxton Bender-Ehlke (145), Michael Amos (152), Brycen Morley (160), and Logan Bender (285).
CL girls hockey mauls Bears and dethrones Royals over holiday break
Brooke Klemz had two goals and three assists to lead the Wildcat girls’ hockey team to a 7-2 victory over the host Blake Bears in the opening round of the Crosstown Cup at Blake Ice Arena on Wednesday December 27. The Wildcats outshot the Bears 47-24 for the game, including 21-8 in a three-goal third period.
Wildcat grapplers finish fourth at Rock Ridge Invite
Three Wildcat wrestlers finished atop their weight classes at the Rock Ridge Wolverines Invitational last Friday, December 22. Michael Amos took first place at 145, Connor Frederixon won the championship at 215, and Logan Bender remained undefeated at 13-0 after capturing the crown at 285. Five other Wildcats placed in the eleven-team tournament, which helped the Wildcats to a fourth place finish as a team: Conner Aspenson (107), third place; Lucas Yang (121), third place; Sam Bird (133), sixth place; Franklin Stark (139), fourth place; and Chuck Gilman (285), third place.
Rogers and Breck send CL losing streak to three
The Breck Mustangs outshot the Wildcats just 29-24 but scored five times to shut out the Wildcats 5-0 on Tuesday, December 19 at Chisago Lakes Arena. Mustang goalie Mackenzie Abbott stopped all 24 shots she faced to pick up her second shutout of the season. Breck scored twice in the first period, once in the second and twice in the third, including an empty-netter to seal the win.
‘Cats clobber Northern Edge and Becker
Ben Kerkow and Max Bobrowski each had two goals and an assist to lead the Wildcats to a 6-0 shutout win over the Northern Edge Tuesday, December 19 at Chisago Lakes Arena. The Wildcats outshot the Edge 48-26 for the game, and Wildcat sophomore goalie Corbin Shandley stopped all 26 shots he faced to earn the first win and the first shutout of his Wildcat career. The Wildcats special teams performed well, scoring on two of five power plays. They stopped all three Edge power play opportunities, and added a shorthanded goal for good measure.
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