Catherine MacLennan can’t decide what makes her more emotional: Thursday’s thrilling comeback victory over Minnetonka, or her work with Edina’s special education program.
“It depends on the situation,” MacLennan said with a laugh after her Hornets earned their first win over the Skippers since 2013.
The senior forward is a founding member of Hornet Connections, a program that bridges Edina High School’s special education program with general population students to build relationships.
“It really does create these friendships that last a long time,” MacLennan said, adding that some of her closest friends are students she met through Hornet Connections.
There were Hornets connecting all over the field in the second half of Thursday’s win, but none more than Anna Klein.
The junior midfielder scored three goals and doled out two assists in the last 17 minutes of regulation as the Hornets scored six unanswered in the second half to edge the Lake Conference rival Skippers 13-11.
“(They) always say ‘calm mind and fast feet,’” Klein said. “Even if they’re double-teaming you or triple-teaming you, just move your feet and get out of it.”
Klein certainly followed her own advice, finishing with a game-high five goals and seven points.
Even with an unsuccessful history against the Skippers and facing several multi-goal deficits, second-year Edina coach Makenna Borg said that the Hornets weren’t discouraged at any point during the game.
“We thought we were equally matched this year, and that this was a winnable game for us,” Borg said.
Borg added that this isn’t the first time she’s seen Klein impose her will on the field.
“We lost in the section semifinals to (Minnetonka) last year, and she took over that game,” Borg said.
The Hornets’ losing streak to the Skippers included three consecutive losses in the Section 2 playoffs, a moot scenario with Edina’s move into Section 6 this sesson.
Borg says that the win gives the program a benchmark victory.
“I like the high expectations,” Borg said. “A lot of our girls play (at a high-level) in other sports as well, so we really wanted to get the bar really high and just get better every single day.”
The high bar comes with a high level of confidence.
“We think that we can beat anyone we step on the field with,” Borg said.
MacLennan scored four goals in the win, and was instrumental in giving the Hornets possession time and time again by winning faceoffs.
MacLennan says that Klein, who’s committed to play hockey at Minnesota-Duluth, has blossomed this season.
“She’s really sparked this year,” MacLennan said. “I’ve seen her take off in lacrosse, and she’s a huge part of our team.”
