A 21-6 demolition of Champlin Park sends the Eagles back to the game where their run of excellence stopped last season.

Since the Minnesota State High School League started girls’ lacrosse state tournaments in 2007, Eden Prairie and Blake met in the first six championship games. The Eagles, the No. 1 seed last spring, lost 13-12 to Lakeville North in overtime of the semifinals.

Ever the competitor, Eagles co-head coach Judy Baxter said of the game, “It’s not like we laid down and died.”

But the Eagles’ run did. Returning players are trying to embody the right lessons.

“Ending the season on that note gave us motivation,” senior midfielder Anna Johnson said. “Going into [Thursday] we will definitely be more prepared. We’ll go into it with a different mind-set. Nothing is given to us.”

Eden Prairie will face Apple Valley at 5 p.m. Thursday in the semifinals at Chaska High School.

Baxter praised Johnson’s leadership this spring, saying, “There’s no one better to lead a team. She plays with heart every day, in every drill.”

Johnson scored the final goal of Eden Prairie’s opening salvo. The No. 2 seed Eagles (15-2) went ahead 11-0 in the first half on goals from six players.

“We all have the capability of making plays all around the field,” junior forward Jessica Lagerquist said. “Every person can get the job done and that’s been huge for us.”

No. 2 seed Eden Prairie (14-2) overwhelmed Champlin Park (13-1) from the start in a 21-6 victory in the girls' lacrosse state tournament quarterfinals Tuesday at Chanhassen High School.

The Eagles stormed to a 11-0 lead in the first half to nullify the chance for much drama.

An upset loss in overtime of last year’s semifinals kept Eden Prairie out of the championship game for the first time. The Eagles appear focused on redemption.

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