Last season, the Mankato co-ed adapted floor hockey team was just a couple minutes away from earning a trip to the state tournament.
With plenty of experience returning, the program, now in its third season, has high goals.
“We’re really confident,” coach Dylan Boettcher said. “We have some key pieces returning, and we have a few new pieces. We fully expect to have a chance to go to the state tournament.”
In Tuesday’s season-opener against New Prague at Franklin Elementary, Mankato fell 17-10.
Jak Okumo and Hailie Johnson each scored four goals for Mankato, while Jamari Hampton added three goals and an assist. Taylor Tokheim made 31 saves in goal.
Mankato, which announced this week that the team nickname will be Knights, went 4-7 last season. After winning its first playoff game, Mankato lost 8-7 to White Bear Lake, surrendering three goals in the final two minutes.
Okumo, a sophomore, led the team with 15 goals and eight assists last season, and sophomore Davaris Woods had nine goals and eight assists.
Seniors Cordelia Emery and Nevaeh Farris; juniors Johnson, Chloe Marks and Lilly Maas; and sophomore Caitlin Torgusen also have varsity experience.
The biggest change is at goaltender, where seventh-grader Tokheim will get the start.
“This is a very energetic group, from the players, the coaches, the parents,” Boettcher said. “This is our third year now so we have players that are familiar with what we do, and the new players can learn from the veteran group. I think we’re ready to work and be successful.”
Mankato plays again Thursday at Owatonna.