Owatonna Adapted Floor Hockey is unstoppable

The Owatonna adapted floor hockey team won their ninth consecutive game of the season on Thurs. Feb. 18 at the Junior High School gym against the South Suburban Jets. The final score was 11 to 4. 
With assistance from the other players, 10th grader Taylor Hagen scored three goals, 12th grader Alex Burns scored four goals and 10th grader Zach Sencer shot four goals. 
This game brought their season to a solid 9-0 for the season. 
Head coach John Scheil said that the team has a good chance to make it to state this year.
Their secret to success is simple: teamwork. 
“It starts with teamwork, and it is about friendship and hard work, too,” said Zach Sencer, before the game. “We never give up.” 
Alex Burns and Sencer agreed that their favorite part of playing floor hockey is being with their friends. The team consists of about 12 players between seventh and 12th grade.
As a senior, Burns is co-captain with fellow senior Elizabeth Crawford. 
“I have to make sure that the team is doing what they are supposed to do,” said Burns about his responsibility as captain. “I like to tell everyone what stretches to do.” 
The team practices twice a week, and they start a whole month before the start of the season.
The gym boomed with encouraging cheers from the Husky fan section at the game. The floor hockey fan base is large and consists of family members, community members and fellow high school students. 
Feb. 18 was parent night, so there was extra spirit that evening. 
Proud grandmother Joann Sencer comes to as many games as she can, and she likes to snap a lot of photos for memories while she is there. 
“I love watching them grow over the years,” said Joann. “It’s fun to see the new ones get the hang of it. Everyone learns and gets better. They grow together.” 
Coach Scheil and assistant coach CW Wolfe agreed that the growth of the team is the most rewarding part of coaching. “I just like how they play,” commented Wolfe. “They are so happy, even when the other team scores.” 
The team’s next home game is scheduled for Thurs. Feb. 25, at the Junior High School at 4:30 p.m. They are playing Winona and hope to keep up their undefeated streak.