Teamwork Key In Dakota United Hawks' State Tournament Run

Dedication and teamwork have the two Dakota United Hawks adapted floor hockey teams heading back to the state tournament this weekend as No. 1 seeds.

The Hawks cognitively impaired team finished the regular season undefeated and will take a perfect 11-0 record into the playoffs when they meet the Mounds View/Roseville/Irondale Rams (8-5) at 8 p.m. Friday in the first round of the Minnesota State High School League adapted floor hockey tournament at Bloomington Jefferson.

The Hawks physically impaired team (9-1-1) is also a No. 1 seed and will take on the Anoka-Hennepin Mustangs in the first round at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Win or lose, each team will play a second-round game on Saturday.

“It’s been a great season,” said Andy Herrmann, a senior goalie from Hastings High School, noting that the last time the Hawks finished the regular season undefeated (2008-2009) they won the state title.

Hard work and communication have led to the Hawks’ success this season, coach Brett Kosidowski said. The two varsity teams are made up of 20 students from schools across the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district who are either cognitively or physically impairment, he said.

When building a team that draws from a large school district there are certain challenges, one of which is putting aside school rivalries when the Hawks take to the floor.

“As is the case with any team, the chemistry has to be there,” Kosidowski said. “We have our struggles because they will bring their school rivalries here every now and again, but they know we all come from different places yet have one goal in mind, and that’s to win state together.”

“When it comes game time, we don’t play around,” said Rashawn Carroll, a senior at Rosemount High School. “We put our differences aside and become a family.”

“We’re the Hawks, but when we play we are one Hawk,” Herrmann added. “Joe (Sandey of Apple Valley High School) on defense is the claws, Ricky (Arends) is the wings, Rashawn is the head and I am the feet.”

Another challenge the Hawks have overcome this season is trying to replace the seniors who graduated last year, said coach Brett Sadek. Coming into the season, the physically impaired team graduated seven seniors, all of whom had significant playing time last year, including the team’s defense and goalie, he said.

But younger players have stepped in and stepped up.

“Because so many seniors graduated from the team last year, we weren’t sure how this season was going to shape up,” Herrmann said. “But then Joe showed up out of nowhere and stepped in. All of the younger guys stepped in and have done great, which is why we are who we are.”

One of the newer players, Arends, of Rosemount High School, said one of his favorite parts of the season is getting to know all the new players.

“The friendships are the best part,” he said. “But it’s always fun to win.”

Carroll said in addition to great communication and teamwork, he believes his coaches are a big reason for the Hawks’ undefeated season.

“I have learned everything from the basics like tapping a stick, passing and shooting, to not becoming frustrated when things aren’t going our way,” Carroll said. “It’s about staying focused, keeping everything positive and always backing each other up.”

The older players are welcoming and show the new players how things are done, Sadek said. That leadership makes the coaches' jobs a lot easier, he said.

Throughout the season, the teams practice skill sets, work on team-building exercises and develop game plans. To prepare for the state tournament, the coaches have brought in alumni to scrimmage the Hawks for the last couple of weeks.

The Hawks won state two years ago, finished third last season and this year’s goal is to bring home the gold, Kosidowski said. The Hawks unblemished record is a blessing, but it can also be a curse, he said.

“It’s always nice to get one or two losses, because they learn how that feels, learn from their mistakes and what to improve on,” he said. “If they win all the time it’s hard to realize that they need to get better.”

The teams from the North conference are very good, Kosidowski said, and that’s who the Hawks will play this weekend. Anoka is also undefeated and Maple Grove and St. Cloud are both 10-3.

“We have a target on our back for sure,” he said.

So the focus is to take the playoffs one game at a time.

“We’re not worried about the championship or even the second round until we get there,” Herrmann said. “There are a lot of good teams, and just as we have done all season, we’re going to take it one game at a time.”

“I’m greedy,” Carroll interrupted. “I want everything—the trophies and the medals.”

“Yeah, he’s right,” Herrmann said. “Us seniors want one last gold medal.”

Although winning is always fun, coach Kosidowski said his favorite part of coaching is watching the good sportsmanship.

“The way the kids build each other up, not only with each other, but the other teams is what this is all about,” he said. “It’s not about wins or losses. It’s great to win, to have trophies and medals, but this is really about getting these kids involved in sports.”