BLOG: Eagan High School Wildcat Boys' Soccer Game Results and Upcoming Events

Three-Minute Mental Breakdown Dooms Eagan Boys’ Soccer

“Every minute counts,” couldn’t be truer than it was for the Eagan High School Wildcats Boys’ Soccer Team Tuesday, Sept. 18 at the Jefferson High School Turf Stadium.  If you would have wandered away to visit the concession stand, or to use the bathroom, for a short three-minute span you would have seen what appeared to be a pretty even match-up between the Wildcats and Jaguars. That is what most people probably expected to see with Eagan ranked #10 and Jefferson ranked #7 in the coaches’ poll coming into the game. The computer rankings had both teams equally matched as well, but even higher with the Jags at #1 and the Cats at #6. And, that is what everyone saw, other than a short three-minute window where the Wildcats suffered a mental collapse that Jefferson took full advantage of to put three goals in the net while a bewildered audience looked on.  The total shots for each team were pretty equal at 16 for Eagan and 14 for Jefferson. The shots on goal were fairly even as well at nine for the Jaguars and seven for the Wildcats. The Jags keeper made six saves as did the Cats keeper, Brady Martin. Both teams had their moments in the first half and Eagan, for the most part, dominated the second half. But, the total 80 minutes have to be played out and every minute is critical, as the Wildcats learned Tuesday.

The first few minutes of play in the first half started out evenly. In the 10^th minute Eagan gave up a dangerous free kick about 35-yards out from the net.  The looping cross found the head of a Jefferson player who sent the ball toward the net. Martin was able to get his hands on the ball, but it was out of reach to catch and gain control and as it fell behind him an unmarked Jaguar was waiting behind him to put the ball away for a 1-0 Jefferson lead. Two minutes later a throw-in, a similar distance from the goal, found the feet of a Jag player who turned and found open space and no defenders to challenge him as he charged toward the net and buried the ball near post for a 2-0 Jefferson lead. One minute later the Jags were given another free kick from about 30-yards out. They sent a ball into the penalty area where a Jefferson player got to the ball first and took the waist high ball off of one bounce and chopped it down off the turf hitting Martin in the knees as the ball caromed into the net for a 3-0 Jaguar lead. The remainder of the half was pretty much back and forth with both teams working their way up and down the field, but not really creating any great scoring opportunities.

The second half saw a more determined Eagan team maintain possession, keeping the ball in the Jefferson end for much of the half. But, with a three-goal lead the Jaguars were content with sitting eight defenders back, hoping the Cats couldn’t get the ball in the net three times over the remaining minutes. Although Eagan was able to generate scoring chances they didn’t breakthrough until the final minutes of the game. With about two-minutes left they scored a goal only to have it called back because of an offside call. Then, with just 10-seconds left, Juan Sjoberg checked back to the ball at the top of the 18 and laid a one-touch pass off to Jonah Garcia who sent a shot high over the Jaguar keeper just under the crossbar to allow the Cats to go home without being shutout. Eagan won the half, but not the game, losing 3-1. Hopefully they have learned that every minute, every touch, every opportunity is critical to the outcome of the game.

This week the Cats will go to Blaine on Tuesday, Sept. 25 for a 7:00 pm start and will be at Bloomington Kennedy Thursday, Sept. 27 at 5:00 pm.  Come out and cheer on your Wildcats!

Eagan Boys’ Soccer Back on Track with Dominating Victory

The Eagan High School Wildcats Boys’ Soccer Team has twice now taken out their frustration after disappointing losses on their next opponent. The unfortunate victim Thursday, Sept. 20 at Wildcat Stadium was Lakeville South. The Cats were unrelenting offensively the majority of the game.  Eagan took 43 shots for the game.  Lakeville South defenders were able to knock eight of those shots away and Eagan shooters missed the net 21 times. But, of the 14 shots they put on the goal, four went in. Coupled with a strong Cats defensive effort that held the Cougars to nine shots leading to six saves by Wildcat keeper Keith Krawza, Eagan was able to walk away with a 4-0 victory. Eagan will need to continue to generate a similarly strong offensive attack while maintaining defensive discipline as they count down the last five games of the season in hopes of a strong run through the sections.

The Wildcats came out hungry and on fire to begin the game generating 28 of their 43 shots in the first half. But, it was not until the 29th minute that they were able to put the first ball in the net. Toby Heller went to the left corner to take the right-footed corner kick and placed the ball on Chad Miller’s foot. Miller sent the ball toward the goal where it glanced off of the Lakeville South defender’s chest and into the net for a 1-0 lead. Although Eagan had multiple opportunities before and after that goal they went to half only up 1-0.

The Cats started the second half equally strong, but were decidedly more effective. In just the 43rd minute Kyle Mayne went to the right corner for the left-footed corner kick. His ball found the feet of Wyatt Wagner whose shot was deflected by a Cougar defender into the net for a 2-0 Eagan lead. Ten minutes later, in the 53rd minute, Mayne dribbled the ball out of the back, as he stalled in the midfield in danger of losing the ball, Wagner stepped in, gathered the ball, and sent a long shot from 25 yards out across the goal from left to right that hit high on the back post and spun in for a 3-0 Wildcat lead. With a secure lead, Coach Martinez, leading the team in Coach Merrick’s absence, sent a number of fresh players into the game. With the clock winding down Miller sent a crossing ball from the right side that Abdi Ali was able to out jump the Cougar defenders to get to as he headed it home to seal the victory at 4-0 in the 76th minute.      

“Never Say Die” Character Shows Through in Tie for Eagan Boys’ Soccer

The true character of a team, or an individual for that matter, tends to become apparent in normal every day occurrence. But, put into a pressure packed situation, that character is magnified, and becomes much clearer to even a casual observer. The Eagan High School Boys’ Soccer Team has had their proverbial “back against the wall” a handful of times this season and their actions have shown that they are not going to roll over and let other teams have their way when that occurs.  In an afternoon game against the Henry Sibley Warriors on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Wildcat Stadium, the Cats showed once again that they will scratch and claw until the final whistle in an attempt to subdue their opponent.

The game would fittingly be described as one where the bounces and perhaps a little luck were not going to go Eagan’s way. The Cats outshot the Warriors nine to four in the first half putting four on net while Sibley managed three. The Wildcats also produced better scoring opportunities than the Warriors. A hard shot by Toby Heller rattled off the post back into the Sibley keeper’s hands. An attempt by Wyatt Wagner to chip over the aggressive Warrior keeper found the keeper racing backward and leaping as high as he could to just get his fingertips on the ball and knock it out of bounds.  The Warriors, though, were able to get just enough of a ball inside the penalty area to nudge it between an Eagan defender and keeper Brady Martin who could only watch helplessly as it trickled into the net in the 19th minute that would hold up for a 1-0 Sibley lead going into the half.

The second half Eagan struggled to produce near-miss scoring opportunities, but controlled much of the play while outshooting Sibley six to three, getting four on net to the Warriors two. The Cats refused to give up though. As the clock ticked down the final seconds, Jake Punch sent a long looping ball that Abdi Ali was able to flick on into the penalty area where Juan Sjoberg was able to volley the ball into the net to tie the game at 1-1 with just under 14 seconds left sending the game to overtime. 

Two minutes into OT it looked as if Eagan was able to pull ahead for the first time when Kyle Stefani played the ball across the goal as Wyatt Wagner stepped behind the Warrior defender and buried the ball, but as the Eagan fans erupted the assistant referee raised his flag for an offside call taking the goal away. The Cats managed the only shot on net in either of the OT periods, but had to settle for a 1-1 tie. The spirit, tenacity, and character of the team was evident and appreciated by everyone in attendance. 

Many compliments about the varsity team’s effort were given by fans that stayed around to enjoy a free tailgate party hosted by the Soccer Booster Club for all of the teams that are part of the Eagan High School Soccer Program. The Varsity Half-Time Shoot-Out Contest on Saturday, as well as some pre-game and post-game tailgate activities and give-a-ways, were be hosted by John Curlee State Farm Insurance. 

Next week the Cats will go to Blaine on Tuesday, September 25 for a 7:00 pm start and will be at Bloomington Kennedy Thursday, September 27 at 5:00 pm.  Come out and cheer on your Wildcats!