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Benilde-St. Margaret's boys drop Edina in heavyweight bout

By Blaze Fugina, SportsEngine, 05/14/21, 5:45PM CDT

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The second-ranked Red Knights got three goals apiece from Matthew Dowden and Carsen Brandt in their defeat of top-ranked Edina.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s Carsen Brandt (1) had three goals Friday night in the Red Knights' 14-6 victory over the Hornets at Edina High School. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Benilde-St. Margaret’s Carsen Brandt (1) had three goals Friday night in the Red Knights' 14-6 victory over the Hornets at Edina High School. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

The offense of Benilde-St. Margaret’s didn’t disappoint in a matchup between the state's top-ranked programs Friday evening.

The Red Knights, No. 2 in the coaches’ poll, scored twice in the game’s opening minute and never trailed in a 14-6 defeat of No. 2 Edina at Edina High School. With the win, Benilde-St. Margaret’s continues to build its case for consideration as the top team in the state with the postseason looming. 

Looking at the past three seasons of high school lacrosse results, the Red Knights’ success to date shouldn’t be a surprise, given the Red Knights have played in each of the past three state championship games. Benilde-St. Margaret’s started its run of dominance in the 2017 title game, losing 19-12 to Eagan. The run continued with two defeats versus Prior Lake, 10-8 in 2018 and 5-3 two years ago.

Of course, it might be harder to remember the Red Knights’ run of title contention since last spring’s season was canceled as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. 

But ask the players, and they will tell you about a different attitude that surrounds the program even after a missed year.

“I think we just set a high standard for each season,” said Matthew Dowden, who had three goals and three assists against Edina. “And the standard gets higher and higher each season.”

Patrick Burns (4) of Benilde-St. Margaret's had two goals and three assists in the Red Knights' 14-6 victory over the Hornets Friday night in Edina. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner SportsEngine

Patrick Burns (4) of Benilde-St. Margaret's had two goals and three assists in the Red Knights' 14-6 victory over the Hornets Friday night in Edina. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner SportsEngine

High-powered offense lifted Benilde-St. Margaret’s, ranked No. 2 in the coaches’ poll, to a 14-6 defeat of No. 1 Edina in a nonconference matchup at Edina High School on Friday evening.

Matthew Dowden and Carsen Brandt had three goals apiece for a Red Knights (7-1, 3-1) offense that scored twice in the first minute of the game. Teammate Patrick Burns chipped in five points, recording two goals and three assists. Dowden led the team with six points.

Drew Hatch scored three times to lead Edina (8-2, 6-0), which was able to keep the game close up until the fourth quarter.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s goalie Justin Dalum made six saves, including a few in the first half to help protect the team’s lead. His counterpart, Sawyer Anderson, saved six shots for the Hornets.

Edina’s Drew Hatch (29) contributed three goals in the Hornets' 14-6 loss to the Red Knights at home Friday night. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Edina’s Drew Hatch (29) contributed three goals in the Hornets' 14-6 loss to the Red Knights at home Friday night. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

The MN Lacrosse Hub polls are for entertainment purposes only. 

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