After a tough 8-7 win at home versus rival Woodbury Friday, the Park Wolfpack romped to a commanding 18-2 win over visiting Hastings Monday evening in girls’ lacrosse.

Park improved 7-2 on the season with the win, the team’s fourth straight victory and sixth time this season the Wolfpack has won by six goals or more. Park has beaten Mounds View (10-3), Roseville (10-4), Woodbury (8-7) and now Hastings (18-2) in the winning streak. In a game where 10 Park players scored, junior attack Shelby Hansen led the way with four goals, giving her a team-high 28 scores on the season so far. Megan Maloney added three goals, Madi Brinkman, Berlyn Giddings and Sam Miller scored two each. Park’s Josie Leonard, Kyra Stofer, Morgan Leick, Ava Reckinger, Lily Newhouse and Molly Villas each had one goal.

“I think we’re playing really well,” said Hansen. “The biggest thing we need to work on is our transitions and not forcing the ball when we don’t have an open lane.

“I think something we do really well is we have a lot of girls that can out the ball in the back of the net,” added Hansen. “We’re not just relying on one person to score.”

Goalie Aubree Laska came close to shutting out the Hastings runner until a late goal in the second half. She “it’s been nice, we’ve been playing as a team,” said Maloney, one of Park’s two seniors, who along with classmate Kyleigh Mullen were honored during a break in the game. “We got our zone d(efense) figured out and our slide now and out transition is looking a lot better the last couple games so we’ve been able to capitalize on that.

“Our defense is very athletic and slides very well,” Maloney added. “And then our attacks are just coming over and helping out on transitions. I think that’s making a difference.”

The Wolfpack (4-2, 7-2) host conference leader and ninth-ranked Stillwater (5-0, 5-1) Wednesday and White Bear Lake (4-2, 5-4) Friday.

“We were pretty dominate on the draws,” said Park head coach Scott Leonard. “Madi was placing the ball well and Shelby was finding it, so I bet we probably hit 80 percent of our draw controls tonight. So that was huge. And then they worked the ball well when we got down low.

“I was really impressed with our composure tonight,” Leonard added. “They took care of the ball. Last Friday night we didn’t do such a good job of taking care of the ball, so that was good. From where we were at the beginning of the season to now, they’re coming together. They know what we want. They know when not to attack and when to attack.”

Park 10, Roseville 4 Josie Leonard and Shelby Hansen each had a hat trick to lead Park offensively against Roseville.

Madi Brinkman, Megan Maloney and Kyra Stofer each scored a goal for the Wolfpack in the game.

Park’s defense held Roseville to just four shots on goal.

Park 8, Woodbury 7

Park won a thriller at home against visiting Woodbury Friday, edging the Royals 8-7.

Shelby Hansen led the way with four goals for the Wolfpack. Madi Brinkman and Josie Leonard had two goals apiece.

The game was tight throughout. Park led 5-4 at the break. Both teams put in three goals in the second half.

Photo by John Molene

Photo by John Molene

Park’s Josie Leonard charges downfield with the ball in the Wolfpack’s 18-2 win against visiting Hastings Monday.