Local lacrosse stars head east

Eden Prairie's Caz-Marie Norwich knows a huge lacrosse challenge awaits her at Syracuse. And at least once a day, Eastview's Rex Sanders ponders the full impact of his decision to play at Johns Hopkins.

Eagles co-head coach Judy Baxter calls Norwich a "trailblazer," a label also appropriate for Sanders. They are not just top players on the local, fledgling lacrosse scene. Both have played in national tournaments, where they became two of the first Minnesota high school players to be recruited by elite East Coast programs.

"For two of our local lacrosse players to get an opportunity to play at the top level, I think will open a lot of doors," Baxter said. "It's two-fold. Those high-caliber programs are recognizing that we can provide some athletes to be successful, but also, our parents here are getting the notion that we can do this."

Despite moments of doubt any teenager experiences, Norwich and Sanders remain confident in their skills -- an attribute that will be critical if they are to succeed at the next level. The Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse team has made a record 38 consecutive NCAA tournaments; the Syracuse women have made the NCAA tournament eight times since 2000.

"You have to have the right mental attitude; you have to believe you're good enough, because that's the crucible of lacrosse," said Greg Zandlo, editor of mnlaxonline.com.

Norwich is a senior attacker leading No. 2 Eden Prairie toward its fifth state title in six seasons. Sanders is a midfielder who has become No. 7 Eastview's most complete player as a junior this season.

"I've watched [Syracuse] practice, and they are amazing," Norwich said. "But I'm the type of person where if you put me in a group of great players, I will work so hard to become better."

Sanders has visited Johns Hopkins twice, noting the "bigger hits and faster shots" in games. "But I feel I can play when I get there," he said.

When asked to list their players' attributes, both Baxter and Eastview coach Tim Roche used the term "game-changer."

"Caz has great size, quickness and explosiveness," Baxter said. "She knows how to find the goal."

Said Roche of Sanders: "He's a goal scorer, but this season he's doing as much defensively as he does offensively. And he dominates in big games."

Both kids come from good stock. Craig Norwich, Caz-Marie's father, excelled in hockey as a defenseman at Edina and Wisconsin and played in the NHL. Sanders' maternal grandfather is former Vikings running back Dave Osborn.

To that generation of athletes, lacrosse was better known as a Wisconsin college town. This spring will mark only the third state tournament sanctioned by the Minnesota State High School League for both boys and girls.

Still, Craig Norwich encouraged his daughter to play all sports at least once. Caz-Marie burned through basketball, golf, hockey, horseback riding, soccer, softball, swimming and tennis before settling on lacrosse. She was one of two freshmen to make the Eagles junior varsity team.

"I remember distinctly that she didn't have stick skills and was a bull in a china shop," Baxter said. "But she had a nose for the goal."

Though a defender in soccer and a defensive-minded hockey player, Norwich became an offensive force in lacrosse. As a junior last season, she recorded six goals in a victory against fellow prep lacrosse power Blake.

Sanders also can score in bunches. As a freshman, he posted three goals in Eastview's section championship upset of top-seeded Prior Lake. As a sophomore, he scored three times in the Lightning's 9-8 loss to Eden Prairie in the state tournament semifinals.

Roche arrived at Eastview for Sanders' freshman year. Sanders has played lacrosse since the third grade and built a reputation as the program's rising star.

"He was still a raw talent when he got here," Roche said. "But he has gone above and beyond. The players in our program will get better just by watching him."