As time dwindled down in double overtime, No. 2-ranked Eden Prairie had almost run out of plays to execute in such a crucial situation.

“My coach had been bugging me about shooting low the whole practice yesterday and in warmups,” junior forward Jessica Lagerquist said about her game-winning goal Wednesday in the Section 2 championship game against Minnetonka. “I kept thinking that in the back of my head, and then I shot low with my left and it went right to the back corner.”

Lagerquist caught a pass atop the offense, juked her defender with a spin move, and dodged her way to a clear shot in front of the net, scoring the decisive goal in the 13-12 triumph over the second-seeded and No. 7-ranked Skippers at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Plymouth.

Lagerquist's sixth goal of the game proved to be the biggest of her high school career. It also tied a career high set earlier this season.

“We’re all capable of scoring or assists — especially Jessica — she’s so good at catching every ball that comes to her,” Eagles sophomore forward Sara Woodring said. “Whenever I need her she’s open.” 

Lagerquist scored the tying goal with plenty of time left in the second half. The Eagles eventually regained possession and made the conscious decision to drain the clock for a final play.

Minnetonka’s defense and goalie Sophie Worrell were solid all evening, stopping two plays the top-seeded Eagles had plotted.

“We tried a couple different strategies,” Eden Prairie co-head coach Judy Baxter said. “The first one didn’t work — we didn’t get the shot off — the second we got off and didn’t score.”

The tension continued to build through two sessions of overtime, and winning both opening draws aided the Eagles' game plan.

“It is suspenseful, and we haven’t quite been in that situation before,” Baxter said. “Winning the draw against this team is tough — Ali Ridge is a tough competitor — it was key to our success in the end.”

Finally an answer came 2 minutes into the sudden death overtime.

”The third we decided to go with Jessica — and it worked — three is the charm in this case,” Baxter said.

Eden Prairie appreciates the privilege of going to the state tournament, even though it has never missed one since the MSHSL started sponsoring it eight years ago. The Eagles have knocked Minnetonka out of the playoffs four straight years.

“We have a ton of respect for Minnetonka,” Baxter said. “I knew a lot of those girls had been there for those three or four years and really were gonna throw everything at us — and they did.”

First Report

Junior Jessica Lagerquist scored in double overtime as No. 1-seeded Eden Prairie averted a major upset by beating No. 2 seed Minnetonka 13-12 on Wednesday in the Section 2 championship game at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Plymouth. 

Lagerquist's goal, her sixth of the game, allowed the No. 2-ranked Eagles to continue their postseason streak of qualifying for all eight state tournaments sponsored by the MSHSL. Quarterfinal play begins at 1 p.m. next Tuesday at Chanhassen High School.

Eden Prairie trailed 8-6 at halftime of its third meeting this season with Lake Conference rival and No. 7-ranked Minnetonka.

Eagles leading scorer Sara Woodring attracted a swarm of defenders all evening and played the double coverage to her advantage, assisting on two goals in the opening minute of the second half. Woodring circled around the net drawing the defender, leaving Lagerquist open charging through the slot to score.

Angie Heppelman and Lagerquist scored to extend the rally, as the Eagles gained the lead for the first time 5 minutes into the second half.

Ava Diedrich-MacFarlane scored her fourth goal to give the Skippers a 12-11 lead midway through the final half of regulation. Lagerquist countered on a free shot to tie the score and force overtime.

The Eagles struggled with draw controls early in the game, but they won both draws in the first session of overtime. Neither team could score, sending the game to sudden death.

Eden Prairie goaltender Asil Asfour made a save at the side of the net after the opening draw, giving possession back to the Eagles and setting up Lagerquist’s winning goal.


Eden Prairie junior Jessica Lagerquist. Photo by Brian W Nelson

Spotlight Game Coverage


Eden Prairie Co-Head coach Judy Baxter. Photo by Brian W Nelson