As the girls' hockey season motors along, Lakeville South is now facing its South Suburban rivals the second time around.
That not only means the stakes are higher but that the playoffs are on the horizon.
"A little bit more is on the line now. It's crunch time," said second-year head coach Natalie Darwitz, a former U.S. Olympian.
"Now's a good test to see if we take the lessons we learned in the first half and apply them in the second half."
Playing all 51 minutes and being more consistent are things that Lakeville South, sitting at 10-5-3, needs to continue to improve upon. Sustained intensity and finishing ability will be crucial for the Cougars as the season progresses.
This group features five seniors that lead and a good mix of ninth-graders and sophomores who have taken on key roles.
"I like our mix," Darwitz said. "Hopefully, it's a good blend going down the stretch here."
Speed is a team strength. The Cougars don't give opponents much time to get the puck out of their zone. The buzzing helps create turnovers and ultimately spearheads an up-tempo transition game, which can catch opposing defenses off guard.