Sam LaShomb has been a fixture on defense for South St. Paul's team the past four years.

She had helped the Packers to the state tournament two of the past three seasons, and would like to do so again this year as junior. The Packers finished third a year ago.

Here is a closer look at LaShomb:

Best movie I've seen in the past year: "Seven Pounds."

Songs I never skip on my iPod are: "Hold My Hand" by Hootie & the Blowfish; "Teach Me How To Dougie" by California Swag District.

Three words or phrases my friends or teammates might use to describe me: Athletic; goofy; blunt.

Favorite pregame meal: I can eat just about anything. I don't have one thing I normally always eat before a game, but if I did it would have to be ice cream.

How do you balance school and sports during the year? Pay attention in school and make sure to get my work done. If I have a game that night or get home from practice, I dig into the books right away.

What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete? Going to state as an eighth-grader and sophomore. Unbelievable experience.

Who is your school's biggest rival, and why? Simley. The cities are right next to each other. We always have big crowds at the games, and the winner always has bragging rights.

How did you get started in hockey? My older siblings played, so I started playing with them, and then they had someone to pick on.

At my first varsity practice, I felt... like I was gonna get my butt kicked.

To get focused for competition, I... listen to my pump-up songs on my iPod.

I know I have an edge on an opponent when ... we are up and the other team takes a time out.

What are your goals this season? Lead my team to the state championship, win the Classic Suburban Conference.

What did you work on in the offseason? Getting better, getting stronger. Doing whatever I can do to set myself apart from all the other hockey players.

If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be? Make checking legal in girls' hockey.

When you have time off during vacation, what do you like to do? Play boot hockey, and hang out with friends.

Who is your favorite college or pro sports team and why? The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux because that's where I am going to school and they have by far the best team name and logo in the country.

In 10 years, I hope I'm ... training for the Olympics.

What is the best sports advice you ever received? Never give up no matter how hard things are, because things will always be good in the end, and if they are not good then its not the end.