Former Eden Prairie player and assistant coach Makenna Borg returned to her alma mater on Tuesday sporting the colors of the Eagles’ biggest rival: the green and white of Edina.
For Borg, who became the Hornets head coach this winter, the homecoming didn’t have a happy ending.
Edina stayed with Eden Prairie in the first half and entered the break trailing by one goal. But the Eagles showed why they are the No. 1 ranked team in the state, scoring 11 second-half goals to record an 18-7 victory and hand Borg a strange-feeling loss.
“It’s weird obviously, but (I) have a really good relationship with everyone over (at Eden Prairie),” Borg said. “It was good to play their team because they’re so talented.”
Borg certainly knows. As a junior, she was a member of the Eagles’ 2009 state championship team and was a three-time letterwinner in lacrosse. Borg, who lettered five times in tennis, also won a Class 2A state doubles title in 2009.
Borg tore her anterior cruciate ligament her senior year and sat out the lacrosse season. It was a blessing in disguise as Borg discovered a passion for coaching while sitting on the sidelines.
“Since I was out, I took on that player-coach role when I was hurt and just really saw the game from a different perspective by not being on the field, so I just love coaching,” Borg said.
Borg continued her playing career in college, first at Ohio State and then for the Gophers after transferring. Her return to Minnesota brought the opportunity to join the Eagles' program as an assistant coach along side current co-head coach Judy Baxter.
Borg, however, wasn’t just coaching girls from her alma mater, she was coaching family. Her little sister Payton was on the team.
Coaching Payton was a phenomenal experience, Borg said.
“It’s always been a good relationship, me coaching her,” Borg said. “It’s always been fun helping her improve the game I love so much.”
Losing to Payton, who is a junior captain for the Eagles this season, may not be as gratifying for Borg, who left a lasting impression on her sister.
“She kind of knows how to pull out people’s strengths and put those to good use for the team. So that was very helpful for me because she was always able to help me a lot and identifying what my strengths were,” Payton said. “I miss being able to play for her.”
Borg left Eden Prairie to become an assistant coach at Benilde-St. Margaret’s last season, moved on to head the Hornets' program this winter.
When Baxter heard about the opening, she called Edina Athletic Director Troy Stein to recommend Borg for the position despite knowing how awkward it can be to face a team led by a former coach and player.
“It’s hard to face people who you know could beat you, that’s a tough thing," Baxter said. "But it’s going to make us better.”
Borg’s decision to take the reigns at Edina was even more difficult for Payton to accept.
“It was definitely rough at first,” Payton said. “Of all schools, I can’t believe she choose Edina. Our biggest rivals. But we got over it quick.”
Winning certainly helped soothe the sting. Eden Prairie has never lost to Edina.
Borg also owns a losing record against Eagles, as her Red Knights lost to Eden Prairie last year.
However, it won’t take long for Borg to start adding to her victory total and turn Edina into a competitive team, Baxter said.
“I can’t think of a better person to take (the Hornets) to a state championship,” she said.
Payton agrees and said she’s rooting for her sister to succeed - even if it’s with a rival.
“They’ve already made a ton of good progress this season, and I’m excited to see how they do,” Payton said. “She has exactly what they need, so I’m excited for her future.”
