Defending state champion Eden Prairie has overhauled its offense this season. And it shows. 

There are new faces at attack, midfield -- everywhere. Naturally, goals haven’t come as frequently as in the past.

“Definitely a different team, kind of a different atmosphere,” senior attackman Charile Venable said. “Last year we had so many offensive threats.”

Venable scored six goals in Monday’s 13-11 shootout win over Eagan at Eden Prairie High School. And, for one game at least, these new Eagles looked a lot like last year’s version in their ability to score in bunches.

Venable certainly was up to his old tricks. He exploited openings in the Wildcats’ defense, repeatedly catching passes while just outside the crease then coolly depositing the ball in the net. 

The piece de resistance in Venable’s night came early in the second quarter when he stepped in front of Eagan defenseman Sean Esslinger’s pass intended for goaltender Daniel Sachs. Venable one-on-one with a goaltender, any goaltender, is no contest. 

“We made a lot of mistakes, so he was there getting the ball in the crease,” Eagan coach Bob Felter said. “Easy. Garbage goals. That kind of thing.”

This wasn’t the first time the cagey Venable has used his quickness to intercept passes to and from goaltenders. He’s scored plenty of goals in similar fashion, making them look easy.

“All the poles want to do is throw it to the goalie, so I just kind of sit there and wait for them, wait for them and wait for them,” said Venable, whose six goals give him 31 this season – 10th most in the state. “And they don’t really see me. They just see the goalie and are thinking, get it to him, get it to him, get it to him. So I sneak up, catch it and shoot. 

“Easiest goals in the game, I think.”
 
The play of Venable and sophomore standout J.D. Spielman is crucial for a team looking to recover from the graduation of Mr. Lacrosse award winner Jake Woodring (39 goals last season) and superb attackman Brooks Armitage (42 goals). But two go-to scorers likely won’t be enough for the Eagles to defend their title.

So the emergence of junior Sean Patterson in the second and third quarters Monday night – he scored three goals as the Eagles pulled away from the Wildcats – was a positive sign. 

“It’s a step in the right direction for him,” Eden Prairie coach Ryan Ward said. “He’s got a high ceiling, so he’s still got some room there.”


Eagan midfielder Noah Simpson looks for an open Wildcat past Eden Prairie defenseman Connor St. Mary in a 13-11 loss on the road. Photo by Rick Orndorf

First Report

Senior attackman Charlie Venable scored six goals as No. 3-ranked Eden Prairie hung on for a 13-11 victory over No. 10 Eagan on Monday night at Eden Prairie High School.

Eden Prairie led 13-9 heading into the fourth quarter, but Eagan rallied behind goals by junior Zach Sorensen and senior Max Elsenheimer. 

Missed Wildcats shots, big saves by Eden Prairie senior goaltender Max Fahey and several tough defensive plays allowed the Eagles (9-2) to escape with the victory.

Junior attackman Kevin Sturgeon scored three goals to lead a balanced Wildcats “street ball” attack. Sorensen, Elsenheimer and Cam Torres each added two goals for Eagan (8-4), which scored on a variety of close- and long-range shots.

Eagan’s 11 goals were the most scored against Eden Prairie this season. The previous high allowed by the Eagles was eight.

Junior attackman Sean Patterson and sophomore midfielder J.D. Spielman each added three goals for the defending state champion Eagles. 

Eagan led by as much as 5-3 in the first quarter, but Eden Prairie scored the next five goals – three by Venable – to take control for good.

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