New Prague girls' hockey coach Andrea Peterson is a realist, but that doesn't keep her from having high expectations for the team this season.
"As a coaching staff we have set high expectations, but only because the goals we have as a team are realistic," Peterson said. "We need to consistently play at a high level to be considered a top-tier team."
The Trojans, who opened the season ranked 15th in the Class 1A poll by Let's Play Hockey, make the switch from the Missota Conference to the Wright County Conference this year. They are coming off a 17-11 season in 2013-14.
"It's generic at times to say, but this group of girls is more of a family this year then they have ever been throughout my three years in the program," Peterson said.
A lot of that stems from the Trojans having nearly the same roster as a year ago. They lost only one player — forward Dani Kocina — to graduation.
"We knew we had a chance to continue on with our success from last season," Peterson said. "We have gained more depth than previous years, and our top-end players have gotten stronger."
At the top of that list is freshman forward Catie Skaja, who had 33 goals and 28 assists for 61 points as an eighth-grader. Junior Jordan Anderson and eighth-grader Kaitlyn Blair join her on the top line. Anderson netted 10 goals a year ago.
To take the next step and be considered one of the top teams in the state, New Prague must find some additional scoring. Second-line senior center Dani Wilmes will be a key figure in that remedy. She was the fourth-leading goal-scorer last season with five. Kocina was the Trojans' second-leading scorer with 30 goals and 19 assists.
"Our second line is expected to step up and score more goals," said Wilmes, who is flanked by sophomores Haley Dietz and Haylee Prochaska on that line. "We need to help out our first line."
A blueline that allowed fewer than three goals per game last season appears in good hands. Seniors Marissa Kivi and Sarah Larson head the unit.
"We learned a lot last year, and were very good at blocking shots," Kivi said. "We're moving the puck better this year, and should be able to contribute more offensively."
Sophomore Sydney Culshaw is back as goaltender. She registered five shutouts and had an .886 save percentage as a freshman.
"Sydney is a phenomenal goalie," Wilmes said. "The things she can do are amazing."
The Trojans allowed two goals in their first two victories of the season. They defeated Duluth 3-1 and Cambridge-Isanti 4-1.
"I'd have to say, and I believe the girls would agree, that we really only played two solid periods of hockey at the level we expect our team to play at each game," Peterson said.
The Trojans recently dropped a 4-2 decision to Rochester John Marshall in their home opener. They return to action Friday at Class 2A, No. 8 Hopkins.
"We proved we could win last year, and that is exactly what we intend to continue to do in 2014-15," Peterson said.
The final telltale sign will come at the end of the season. New Prague has lost to No. 5-ranked Red Wing in the Section 1 finals the past three years.
"Our season always ends at the same spot," Kivi said. "I want us to leave it all out on the ice this year. I want us to be at our best, and see where it takes us."
