It was almost 20 minutes into the game and No. 2-seeded Prior Lake had seen its lead slip to just one goal. This is a team with state championship dreams. Being upset in the quarterfinals was not part of the plan.

The Lakers took a time out, regrouped and turned up the heat, scoring eight consecutive goals spanning the first and second halves en route to a 16-6 victory over Maple Grove on Tuesday at Minnetonka High School.

“We brought them in and said ‘Start playing your game,’ ” Lakers coach Ali Minelli-Fenstermacher said. “We told them to start working with each other instead of just as individuals.”

Sarah Pierson, an All-Metro midfielder, said it was simply a matter of communication.

“We starting talking to each other and pumping each other up,” she said. “That’s really what helped get the goals.”

The Lakers’ response was swift and decisive. They scored three goals in the final 3:57 of first half, giving them a 7-3 lead and some breathing room at halftime.

“I’d like to think that scoring quickly is a strength of ours,” Minelli-Fenstermacher said. “I think it’s a big strength of all the top teams in the state. That’s what makes you good: Turning it on when you need to.”

Lexi Peer scored five goals and Kelly Gleason added three for Lakers (16-1). Maple Grove (14-4) got five goals from sophomore Emily Herdine.

JIM PAULSEN

No. 2 seed Prior Lake scored eight consecutive goals in a span of a little more than 22 minutes to turn what had been a close game into a rout, downing Maple Grove 16-6 in the quarterfinals.

Leading 4-3 late in the first half, the Lakers broke open the game with a quick-strike, fast-break offense, getting three goals in the final four minutes of the half to take a 7-3 lead at halftime. They scored the first five goals of the second have to salt the game away.

Lexi Peer scored four goals and goalie Claire Hagen stopped 10 of 15 shots for the Lakers (16-1). Emily Herdine scored five goals for Maple Grove (15-3).

Check back later for more on the game.