For Lakeville South senior midfielder Tommy Duckstad, Tuesday night’s win over South Suburban Conference rival Apple Valley wasn’t as sweet as it should have been. 

The Cougars led by as much as five goals at two different points during the game, but only managed to squeak by the inspired Eagles 13-11. 

“Being up 7-2 at half and only winning by two points is not what we’re satisfied with,” Duckstad said after the win. 

Entering the game with only one victory, Eagles did not appear to be much challenge for the undefeated Cougars. However, Apple Valley showed that looks can be deceiving.

After falling behind 4-0 in the first quarter, the Eagles outscored Lakeville South 11-9 over the next three quarters  - including 6-5 in the final 12 minutes  -  to make the game much closer than many anticipated. 

“We’ve still got things to do,” Cougars coach Tim Bohmert said. “They exposed us a little more than we were hoping.”

Duckstad and fellow offensive catalyst Donavon Dempsey did some exposing of their own, exploiting the Eagles’ defense for a total of six goals and six assists. 

Dempsey finished with four goals and three assists, while Duckstad had two goals and three assists to lead Lakeville South on the night. 

The top of the statsheet is a familiar place for the pair. Dempsey totaled a team-best 34 goals and Duckstad had a team-high 14 assists last season.

The two are primed for a repeat this year. Dempsey leads the Cougars with 17 goals and Duckstad as a team-leading 10 assists after Tuesday’s game. 

Dempsey said his scoring prowess comes from a simple philosophy: catch the ball low and shot high.

“Dip and dunk, baby,” Dempsey said with a smile. 

Bohmert said Dempsey’s wit and enthusiasm can be distracting at times, but is welcome most of the time.

“You have to keep him in line sometimes,” Bohmert said with a chuckle. “He’s always a joker, and we always like to have him on the team.”

Lakeville South was happy to have Dempsey for the matchup with Apple Valley. The junior attackman was in constant movement, whether he had the ball or not.

“He’s a very energetic kid on the field,” Bohmert said. 

That energy will travel with Dempsey when he leaves high school and heads to the University of Detroit-Mercy, where he’ll play Division I lacrosse.

Duckstad will be heading farther east after graduating. He's moving on to Maryland, where he has signed to play at Mount-St. Mary’s.

Before Duckstad departs, however, he wants to achieve one goal: defeat crosstown rival Lakeville North in the postseason. The Panthers have ended the Cougars’ season in each of the last four Section 1 tournaments. 

“We’ve got a full, returning starting lineup,” Duckstad said. “I think we can get them this year.”

Junior attackman Donavon Dempsey finished with four goals and three assists to lead Lakeville South past Apple Valley 13-11 in South Suburban Conference action Tuesday night at Apple Valley High School. 

Senior midfielder Nick Bouchard tallied three goals while senior midfielder Tommy Duckstad had two goals and three assists for the Cougars (5-0, 3-0), who held off a surging Eagles team for the win.

Lakeville South took a 7-2 lead into halftime, but Apple Valley narrowed the gap to 8-5 at the end of the third.

The Cougars capitalized on several defensive lapses in the final 12 minutes to score five goals, just enough to keep the Eagles at bay. Apple Valley finished with six goals in the fourth quarter.

Senior attackman Drew Larson scored five goals and senior attackman Calvin Leong had  three for the Eagles (1-4, 1-2). Junior midfielder Jacob Dewall had six assists in the losing effort.

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