Alum Spotlight

The Minnesota Lakers experience doesn’t end when players graduate. Our Alum Spotlight series highlights former Lakers who continue to grow in college, careers, and life — carrying the lessons of hard work, accountability, and love for the game with them.

Week of March 3, 2025: Brigit Goetsch (Class of 2021 - Maple Grove)

This week, we check in with Brigit Goetsch, a Lakers alum who is making her mark as a standout goalie at Regis University and is getting ready for her next steps in both lacrosse and her professional career..

Hometown: Maple Grove, Minn.
High School: Maple Grove
Years in Lakers Program: 6
Years Playing Lacrosse: 10+

Life After the Lakers

Since graduating in 2021, Brigit has continued her lacrosse journey at Regis University in Denver, Colorado, where she plays NCAA Division II lacrosse as a goalie. Her list of achievements is impressive Her list of achievements speaks for itself:

2025 team captain, 2022-2024 RMAC All-Academic
2023 RMAC Honorable Mention, 2023 RMAC All-Tournament Team
2023 IWLCA All-Midwest
2024 Preseason All-American

Playing at the collegiate level has been both intense and rewarding for Brigit. Competing for a team ranked #2 in the nation with championship aspirations demands a high level of commitment, discipline, and resilience—qualities she first developed during her time with the Lakers.

"The high-intensity practices and tough competition with the Lakers taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of pushing myself beyond my limits. That foundation is why I've been able to compete at this level."

Off the field, Brigit is finishing her B.S. in Accounting and preparing for a summer Assurance Internship at RubinBrown before starting her Master's in Accounting at Regis. Her academic success is equally impressive, with multiple Dean's List honors and membership in the National Society of College Scholars (NSCS) and Alpha Sigma Nu.

The Lakers Impact

Brigit credits her time with the Lakers for shaping her approach to competition, leadership, and the grind required to succeed at the next level.

"The Lakers' competitive environment pushed me to develop a strong work ethic and the ability to adapt under pressure. The coaching and high-level play sharpened my skills and made the transition to college lacrosse feel more natural."

Beyond the skills on the field, the Lakers emphasized time management, accountability, and leadership—qualities Brigit has carried into both her academic and athletic careers.

"Balancing training, travel, and academics at the Lakers taught me discipline that has been invaluable in college. The focus on teamwork and leadership also helped me step into a captain’s role and lead by example."

Brigit's Advice for Future and Current Lakers

For players considering the Lakers, Brigit’s message is clear: embrace the grind and focus on growth.

"The competition will be tough, and the training demanding, but every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Trust the process, build strong relationships with your teammates, and stay committed to your goals. Your hard work will pay off."

She also emphasizes the importance of finding the right fit during the recruiting process.

"It’s not just about finding a school that wants you—it’s about finding the right fit for you. Choosing a program where you truly feel at home makes all the difference."

What’s Next for Brigit?

Brigit’s immediate goal is to lead her team to a national championship. Beyond that, she hopes to stay involved in lacrosse through coaching and mentoring the next generation of players. In her professional life, she’s focused on building a strong foundation in accounting and making the most of the opportunities ahead.

"The friendships and lessons I took from the Lakers have been some of the most valuable parts of my journey. I’m excited to give back to the sport that’s given me so much."

We’re incredibly proud of Brigit’s journey and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.

Want to follow in Brigit’s footsteps? The Minnesota Lakers are committed to developing players beyond the game—preparing them for whatever comes next. Learn more about our program at www.mnlakerslax.com.

Visit our 'Playing for Lakers' page to learn about how you can become a part of the Minnesota Lakers program.

Week of February 9, 2025: Ellie Clough (Class of 2024 - Academy of Holy Angels)

Today, we check in with Lily Hohag, a Lakers alum whose journey has taken her from Minnesota to New York City, where she has built an impressive resume in medicine, journalism, and global leadership initiatives.

Hometown: Excelsior, Minn.
High School: Academy of Holy Angels
Years in Lakers Program: 9
Years Playing Lacrosse: 10+

Life After the Lakers

Since graduating from Minnetonka High School in 2019, Lily's path has been anything but ordinary. She earned her undergraduate degree at Fordham University, where she majored in Journalism and minored in Bioethics while also obtaining her EMT license. Her time in the Fordham EMS Agency led her to become a Crew Chief, handling emergency calls in the Bronx, an experience that required leadership, teamwork, and the ability to perform underpressure—skills she first developed with the Lakers.

"Going from a high school student in Minnesota to working as a Crew Chief in the Bronx in less than two years was a big jump. Luckily, my time with Lakers made me comfortable in leadership roles and working on teams."

Lily also played club lacrosse at Fordham and worked with Bronx Lacrosse, a nonprofit providing athletic and academic support to youth.

Now, she is completing her Master's in Public Health at Columbia University while working as an EMT and holding a fellowship with the United Foundations and the Reykjavík Global Forum (RGF), an Iceland-based initiative focused on women in leadership. She credits her first leadership experiences to her time with the Lakers and often speaks about the impact of team sports on personal development.

The Lakers Impact

Reflecting on her time with the program, Lily highlights stepping out of her comfort zone as one of the most valuable lessons she took from the Lakers.

"If you're not uncomfortable, you're not growing. I first learned this when I didn't want to catch righty in practice as a natural lefty. But that same mindset carried me through every major decision I've made—from moving to New York to applying to graduate school to working in emergency medicine."

The Lakers also emphasized accountability, leadership, and being present—values she applies daily in high-pressure situations.

"Lakers taught me to give 110% in everything I do. Whether I'm responding to an EMS call or working with global leaders at RGF, I stay focused and engaged. It's a privilege to do the work I do, and I always want to show up the way I did at Lakers—ready to work."

Advice for Future Lakers

For players considering the Lakers, Lily emphasizes that this program is about developing the whole athlete, not just the lacrosse player.

"The coaching staff cares about who you are as a person, not just how you play. Not many programs focus on building independent, well-rounded athletes like the Lakers do."

Her biggest piece of advice? "Walk your own path."

"It's easy to compare yourself to teammates, friends, or people on social media. But at the end of the day, you are the only person who lives your life 24/7. Do what makes you happy and surround yourself with people who push you to be your best."

What's Next for Lily?

Lily is set to graduate from Columbia in May 2025 and will be moving back to Minnesota. She hopes to continue her career in public health and emergency medicine while also coaching and officiating lacrosse at the youth level.

"The Lakers were such a huge part of my life, and I want to give back to the sport that shaped me."

We're incredibly proud of Lily's journey and can't wait to see what she does next.

Want to follow in Lily's footsteps? The Minnesota Lakers are committed to developing players beyond the game—preparing them for their next level and what comes next, whatever that level and what comes next is.

Visit our 'Playing for Lakers' page to learn about how you can become a part of the Minnesota Lakers program.

Week of February 9, 2025: Ellie Clough (Class of 2024 - Academy of Holy Angels)

This week, we check in with Ellie Clough, a Lakers Premier Team alum who has carried her passion for the game beyond high school.

Hometown: Prior Lake, Minn.
High School: Academy of Holy Angels
Years in Lakers Program: 3
Years Playing Lacrosse: 7

Life After the Lakers

Ellie is continuing her lacrosse journey and build on the foundation she developed with the Lakers at Fort Lewis University (NCAA Division II) in Durango, Colo., where she has embraced the next level of competition and growth. Looking back on her time with the Lakers, she credits the program for helping her develop not just as a player but as a leader and teammate.

"The Lakers pushed me to be more confident in my abilities and trust the process of development. The practices, the coaching, and the culture made me a better player and prepared me for what came next."

Beyond lacrosse, Ellie has also taken on new opportunities that challenge and push her to keep evolving, showing that the skills built in the Lakers program extend far beyond the field.

The Lakers Impact

When asked about what made the Lakers experience stand out, Ellie points to the coaching, competition, and culture that shaped her game.

"The training was intense but exactly what I needed. The focus on skill development, speed, and game IQ helped me stand out and be ready for the next level."

She also highlights the relationships built within the program—teammates who pushed each other to improve and a coaching staff that genuinely cared about individual growth.

Ellie's Advice for Future Lakers

For those considering joining the Lakers, Ellie has a clear message: if you want to take your game seriously, this is where you belong.

"Don't be afraid to push yourself. The Lakers will challenge you, but that's how you grow. Trust the process, listen to the coaching, and put in the work—it'll all pay off."

Her experience serves as a reminder that success isn't just about wins and losses; it's about the long-term development that comes from being in the right environment.

Want to follow in Ellie's footsteps? The Lakers are committed to developing players who are ready for whatever comes next.

Visit our 'Playing for Lakers' page to learn about how you can become a part of the Minnesota Lakers program.