In the second overtime all eyes were on Apple Valley senior Katie Larson as she carried the ball. Larson, after all, had scored seven goals, including a clutch overtime hat trick that brought the Eagles back into Friday's game against Prior Lake.

Larson tossed the ball to eighth-grader Reagan Roelofs, who circled behind and around the net, planted her foot, and shot over the shoulder of her defender. The ball bounced into the right corner of the net.

“The whole game when I would take a crease-roll, I would always not take the extra step," Roelofs said about her sudden-death winner in the 18-17 triumph over the Lakers. "So when I took that extra step I was like, ‘this is for (coach Alexandra Ross) when I shot it and saw it go in -- I literally lost it -- I don’t really have a voice now."

The victory over the No. 4-ranked Lakers leaves the No. 3 Eagles as the lone unbeaten team in the South Suburban Conference.

“Prior Lake is a great team, those girls are really skilled, and the coaches are super good, too,” Apple Valley coach Alexandra Ross said. “To get that victory and stayed undefeated, especially in this tough conference, it’s great. You can see how pumped they are, this a big deal for the team.”

Roelofs took the majority of the draws, and sat at the helm of the Eagles’ offense behind the net. Developing plays, chasing wide shots, and battling for draw controls, Roelofs abilities were tested against the Lakers. 

“Whatever it is that we require of her, she does, and the best thing is she always does it with a smile on her face,” Ross said. “For her to get that game-winning goal and to boost her confidence even more was awesome.”

Larson’s efficient and relentless attack of the net led to three goals scored in a minute and seven seconds in the second quarter of the first overtime, tying the game. On one play she sliced her way between defenders but fumbled the ball. Battling two defenders she collected the loose ball and scored opposite corner on Lakers’ goaltender Hannah Ostlund.

“We came out kind of rough, but we really brought it back,” Larson said. “It feels amazing, I love this team, and I wouldn’t want to play with anyone else.”

Blayr Thompson followed Larson’s tenacity and sliced her way to an open shot to give Apple Valley (7-0) the lead with 18 seconds left.

Prior Lake's Amber Beauvais caught the ensuing draw and charged downfield. Stopped by a double team, she passed to Alexa Bloedow who found Ally Barain in the slot to score with only 2.5 seconds on the clock, sending the game to sudden-death.

Home to four of the top ten teams in the state (three in the top five), the South Suburban has been host to high-caliber and competitive matchups through the years. This game may rank near the top.

“It was one of the best games I’ve coached,” Ross said. “I’ve been with Apple Valley for six year, and it was probably one of our most exciting games.”

“I have never been more proud of my team, this is the best game we have ever played,” Prior Lake co-head coach Emily Muelken said.

Both teams are members of Section 3. This may not be the last time these teams meet.

“We told our girls ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,’ now you know what defeat tastes like and we’re going to come back stronger next time,” Muelken said.

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