Quantcast
skip navigation

Future is now for Eagan

By Loren Nelson, Editor, 06/11/10, 6:06AM CDT

Share

Freshman Simpson sparks Wildcats' second-half surge over Wayzata

They call Eagan freshman Connor Simpson “The Future.”

Apparently, the future is now for the Wildcats.

Simpson scored all four of his goals in the second half as Eagan recovered from a sluggish start to rout Wayzata 14-6 in the third place game of the Minnesota State High School League state tournament on Friday, June 11, at Mounds View High School.

“I think it was after the (April 27) Rosemount game, when he had four goals,” Wildcats senior Will Hersman said about the origin of Simpson’s nickname. “We trying to come up with a nickname for him. I was like hey, ‘Why don’t we just call him ‘The Future.’

“He’s only a freshman. He’s going to be around here for another three years. Why not?”

The nickname never fit more snugly than against the Trojans, as it was the tall, lanky Simpson who almost singlehandedly secured the win for Eagan. He started his scoring binge late in the third quarter, a goal with 2:17 left that put the Wildcats ahead 7-6.

After a goal by Chris Bowen, it was "The Future’s" turn again. Freelancing from behind the net, Simpson scored nearly identical wraparound goals 52 seconds apart to put the Wildcats ahead 10-6.

Simpson’s scoring highlighted an amazing 10-goal run by Eagan that spanned all but a few minutes of the second half.

Eric Fong scored for Wayzata 1:48 into the third quarter to put the Trojans ahead 6-4. Wayzata also led 4-2 in the second quarter.

Then Simpson took over. It was a performance that had Eagan coach Bob Felter second-guessing himself.

“We’re dumb as coaches,” Felter said. “I told the kids that. If we put Simpson in earlier (in Eagan’s 4-3 state semifinal loss to Totino-Grace) we would have won that one, too.”

Chris Bowen had three goals for Eagan and Tim Bausman had a team-high three assists. Jameson Macgregor’s two goals led Wayzata.

As for Simpson, he says he doesn’t mind the nickname.

“Yeah, I’ll take it,” he said about the moniker and the good-natured ribbing he takes from Eagan’s senior-dominated lineup. “It was neat to be a part of the team with all the older guys.”

Loren Nelson

Loren Nelson

MN Lax Hub Managing Editor

Phone: 612-379-1030 (ext. 126)

Photo Gallery

Three Stars

1. Connor Simpson, Eagan
The Wildcats' freshman, pictured below and aptly nicknamed "The Future," scored four goals, all of them coming in the second half as he touched off an amazing 10-goal outburst that assured the victory and accompanying third-place trophy. 

2. Chris Bowen, Eagan
The senior attackman scored three goals as he showed a accurate shooting touch, putting all six of his shots on goal.

3. Jameson Macgregor, Wayzata
The junior midfielder, who had been sidelined from a concussion since the end of the regular season, saw his first extensive action in weeks and responded by scoring twice.

Most Popular

Spotlight Game Coverage