New head coach Bailey Aasen and this year’s Wolfpack have the proverbial tough act to follow.

Not only is Aasen replacing longtime successful head coach Scott Leonard, but there are also numerous star players that won’t be with the Wolfpack this time around.

Park had a 2025 season that frankly is going to be hard to duplicate, going undefeated in the regular season, winning the Suburban East Conference, then taking the section title and advancing to state before eventually finishing third.

The Wolfpack went 9-0 in the conference and 18-1 on the season. Park won its first 17 games of the season, including an 18-1 win over St. Paul/Two Rivers in the Section 3 quarterfinals, a 12-8 triumph over St. Croix Prep in the section semifinals and a tight 11-10 victory over Cretin-Derham Hall in the section championship.

Park’s offense generally rocked and rolled in a series of lopsided wins during the regular season, crushing foes 13-2, 14-3, 12-3, 30-1, 15-2, 17-3, 16-3, 23-2, 21-2 and 18-1. On the season Park outscored teams 256-82. The Wolfpack also claimed a tight 8-7 win over Stillwater and a 7-6 win over Cretin to earn the SEC crown.

At state, Park won an 18-1 decision over Elk River/Zimmerman in the quarterfinals, then dropped an 11-10 heartbreaker to SEC rival Stillwater in the semifinals. The Wolfpack rebounded with a convincing 15-5 victory over Lakeville South in the third-place game.

But all that is now in the history books and the Wolfpack must replace Leonard, as well as seven key seniors, including senior offensive stars Madi Brinkman (66 goals, 17 assists), Josie Leonard (55 goals, 26 assists) and Kyra Stofer (23 goals). Defensive ace and all-section pick Hollen Thompson, named the Star Tribune’s 2025 All-Minnesota Sport Award Courage winner, will also be missed.

Goalie Aubree Laska (36 saves on 70 shots on goal, a .514 save rate) who split time with Lauryn “Crash” Ehrenstrom in the net, also graduated. Ehrenstrom, a senior this season, had 47 saves out of 99 attempts, for a .475 save rate.

“We have quite a few good returners this year,” said Aasen was a record-setting player for Park, graduating in 2015, played college lacrosse a Augustana and served as a longtime assistant coach for the Wolfpack.

Heading the list of returners are junior captain Maleah McMorrow (35 goals, 19 assists), senior Sidni Gitzen (20 goals, 6 assists), freshman Morgan Brinkman (2 goals, 21 assists), Alaina Wright (16 goals, 10 assists) and senior captain defender Lila Krumrie.

“We have a pretty solid offensive team as well still,” said Aasen. “I think our defense will look a little bit younger this year, so that some focus and growing spots. We have a lot more youth and a lot more girls playing at a younger age, so it’s been really fun to see the eighth graders come up and kind of surprise us each year with their skill level.

“I think our offensive game is still our stronger side right now.” Aasen added. “Just because we do have some of the younger girls on the other side of the field.”

Asked what a reasonable goal for this year’s team might be, Aasen said: “I think that, especially with bringing in a lot of younger girls and having new leadership from the team, a good goal would kind of be to find their drive together and their connections on the field. I’m really trying to focus this year on building my defensive knowledge and then I really want to focus on our clears and our rides, so kind of that transitional part of the field.”

Park hosts Woodbury on Tuesday, April 14, to open the season, then plays at Roseville Thursday, April 16, both games starting at 7 p.m.