Eden Prairie sophomore Sara Woodring plays as if she has ice in her veins and lacrosse in her blood. 

That last part isn't just another cliche. Woodring's older brother, Jake, is a former Eden Prairie lacrosse standout who was an All-American selection and the Mr. Lacrosse award winner in 2013.

Sara played like an All-American on Thursday, She scored seven goals in the No. 2-ranked Eagles' 15-9 victory over No. 4 Minnetonka on Thursday night at Aerie Stadium in Eden Prairie.

Woodring also recorded an assist against the Skippers. The eight-point game was the sophomore's second highest ouput this season. Woodring had six points in the matchup between the Lake Conference foes earlier this season, also an Eagles victory.

“She had some pretty clutch goals,” Eden Prairie co-head coach Judy Baxter said about Woodring's performance Thursday. “She’s really doing a good job of finding a space in the net. That’s key to being successful.”

Sara said Jake motivated her throughout her lacrosse career.

“He was a big influence in everything with lacrosse,” Woodring said. “He always used to practice with me, and he was so determined with what he did. He is my inspiration with lacrosse and I’m really proud of everything he’s done.”

Jake plays lacrosse at the University of Denver, which has reached the NCAA Final Four. He scored his first goal of his career against Marquette earlier this season. Sara said it’s tough that he’s not at her games, but she's happy his hard work is showing.

“It’s just awesome to see that all that work can get you to that level,” Woodring said. 

Deanna Woodring said, Jake and Sara's mother, said lacrosse was ever-present when the two were younger.

“Jake has a big impact on her playing,” Deanna said. “They used to practice a lot when Jake was always around. It was kind of the game that was going on in our house.”

Sara ranks second in the state with 66 points and seventh in goals, tallying 40 so far this season. Last year she chalked up just 15 points, including 10 goals.

Minnetonka has its own star scorer in midfielder Ali Ridge, who ranks fifth in the state with 61 points. Baxter said to shut down Ridge they needed to contain her speed.

“Ali Ridge is a fabulous player for them,” Baxter said. “We knew we had put a lot of pressure on her and take away the drive.”

Baxter said the team improved its toughness this game.

“I think we stepped up our aggressiveness, tenacity, and ‘go get it’ on the ball,” Baxter said.

First Report

Sophomore Sara Woodring scored seven goals, including four in the second half, as No. 2-ranked Eden Prairie pulled away from No. 4 Minnetonka for a 15-9 Lake Conference victory on Thursday at Eden Prairie High School. 

Woodring, the sister of Jake Woodring, last year’s Mr. Lacrosse award winner, increased her season goal total to 40 to rank seventh in the state.

Eden Prairie, coming off Tuesday’s dramatic 14-13 victory over No. 6 Benilde-St. Margaret’s in which Woodring scored the winner with 1 second remaining, was deadlocked at 5 with the Skippers at halftime before pulling away in the second half. Woodring scored twice during a 5-1 surge to start the second half.

Junior Angie Heppelman added three goals for the Eagles (10-1).

Senior Ali Ridge scored three goals to lead Minnetonka (8-3). Ridge has 43 goals to tie for fourth statewide.

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