Rebels start boys lacrosse season strong against rivals

Champlin Park boys lacrosse opened its 2024 season with a thriller on April 15, beating district rivals Anoka 6-4 at home.

The night, however, did not start easily for the Rebels. It was Anoka who struck first, scoring in the final seconds of the first quarter after an exciting start that saw both teams survive close chances, including multiple strikes of the posts.

Champlin Park took the task head-on in the second quarter, showing more intent and finding a tying goal from Ryan Korton with four minutes to go until halftime. Despite some frustrations from missed chances, the Rebels finally looked assured heading into halftime, tied 1-1.

The third quarter proved to be the decisive one, as Champlin Park racked up four goals in less than four minutes. Austin Johnson struck first, scoring after a winding run through the Anoka defense. Gavin Bosch was next up, navigating a ranged shot into the back of the net to make it 3-1.

With their lead already taking shape, the Rebels did not stop as Brayden Strausser and Matthew Berge scored one each to extend the gap to 5-1 in Champlin Park’s favor. The scoreline held going into the break before the fourth quarter.

Anoka, perhaps driven by the district rivalry at hand, did not quit. They instead found two goals in the fifth and sixth minutes of the quarter to narrow the game to 5-3. A timeout paused the growing momentum for the visitors, but it did not ward off the tention. Anoka kept it coming when play resumed, scoring yet another goal on a big solo run to make it 5-4.

When Champlin Park boys lacrosse needed a goal most, they found it through Johnson, who scored his second of the night with two minutes remaining to make it a two-goal game with minimal play time left. The goal, combined with goalie Kalvin Kiffmeyer returning to his strong general play through the first half, put the Rebels in control. Bosch did his part to ensure the win, holding possession behind the Anoka goal and taking a share of hits in the process as the Rebels won 6-4.

Other results

Champlin Park played two more games last week, starting with a difficult 12-5 conference road loss to Centennial on April 17. The Rebels then traveled to Blake for their first non-conference game, besting the Bears 9-5 on April 20.

Champlin Park will play four games next week, hosting Centennial and Andover on April 23 and 24, before traveling to Elk River and Brainerd on April 25 and 26.