If there’s a giant to slay for the Apple Valley girls’ lacrosse team, it’s Prior Lake.

Coming into Tuesday night’s game, the Eagles had suffered six consecutive losses to the Lakers, including the last two Section 6 finals.

Though Apple Valley stuck with Prior Lake throughout the entirety of Tuesday’s contest, the Eagles once again found themselves leaving the field disappointed. Lakers senior forward Lexi Peer scored from short distance just 40 seconds into overtime as Prior Lake won 11-10 at Apple Valley High School.

Early on, it looked like the Lakers (5-0, 2-0) might have a chance to run away with the game. With Prior Lake jumping out to a 3-0 lead. This was part of a balanced scoring attack. Five different players scored the Lakers’ five first-half goals.

“It’s nice this year because we don’t just have one scorer,” said Prior Lake coach Heather Pierson. “Teams don’t know which player to shut down.”

If there was a player for Apple Valley to focus on, it might have been Peer. Aside from scoring the game-winner, the senior had a team-high three goals in the win. Her last tally came as she scored in front of the goal. It was an idea she had in her mind heading into the overtime period.

“In the huddle, I was playing through in my mind what I needed to do to score and beat their goalie,” Peer said. “I wasn’t fully listening to the huddle because I was picturing that goal.”

Peer has been a consistent scorer this season for the Lakers, who are ranked No. 2 in the coaches’ poll. Her 11 goals this season is tied for a team best with junior midfield Jordan Anderson.

“That girl is so focused,” Pierson said. “She’s been awesome for us so far this season.”

Though the No. 4 Eagles fell behind early, Apple Valley (3-1, 1-1) was able to keep up with its rival. This was a change from the teams’ last meeting, when Prior Lake went on a 7-0 run to end the first half of the 2017 Section 6 championship.

“We’ve seen them come out before quick,” said Eagles coach Alexandra Ross. “I think we’re excited but not necessarily ready for that opening whistle.

Ross added: “Lacrosse is just a game of runs, you just have to counter their attacks. We just need to finish with the ball when the game ends.”

The Lakers were the ones to finish with the ball this time. Both teams battled and when the game ended, the feeling on both sides was similar to one of a section final.

“We all know each other,” Peer said. “We’ve played with and against each other so long, we end up playing similar styles. It just always seems like we’re going up against each other.”

While the Eagles were walking off the field with looks of disappointment, Ross was there to try and cheer them up with positive messages in the postgame huddle.

“This is a game we thought about for 11 months,” Ross said. “All roads to state lead through Prior Lake.”

The Lakers left in a much different mood. So far, Prior Lake has proven itself as one of the state’s best. The Lakers now have wins over No. 3 Blake (12-9 on April 23) and Apple Valley. After finishing third in 2017, the Lakers hope to break through and be a part of that state championship conversation.

“We’re getting the jitters out,” Ross said. “Beating these teams show we’re her to play. Our sights are set high.”