Apple Valley Girls Lacrosse Nipped by Eagan/Rosemount Rally

Third-seeded and 10th-ranked Apple Valley led Eagan/Rosemount 12-9 with seven minutes to play in the Section 3 girls lacrosse semifinal at Apple Valley on Tuesday.

But the Wild Irish rallied and outscored the Apple Valley Eagles during the final seven minutes—and 3-0 in the last five minutes—to win 14-13. Hannah Segar and Lexie Case led Apple Valley’s offense with three goals each.

It was a tough end to Apple Valley's season; the team ends the year with a 12-4 record. Eagan/Rosemount went just 6-6 during the regular season, while Eagan/Rosemount junior scoring star Simone Haugen led the state with 67 goals.

Apple Valley routed Eagan/Rosemount 18-7 in the regular season meeting between the two teams but it quickly became obvious that Tuesday's Wild Irish was a different team. Eagan/Rosemount scored the first two goals of the first half and led 7-3 before Apple Valley closed the half strong and cut the margin to 7-5 at the break.

Apple Valley then scored six of the first seven goals of the second half, moving from a 7-3 deficit into an 11-8 lead. Playing well, with all the momentum and 10 minutes to play, the Eagles looked like a team en route to the section championship.

But then it was Eagan/Rosemount’s turn to rally and the Wild Irish girls scored three of the next four goals to pull within 12-11 with 6:08 to play. Apple Valley’s Mandie Kaiser gave her team a 13-11 lead with 4:52 to play and caused Eagan/Rosemount to call a time out.

The Wild Irish then outscored the Eagles 3-0 in the game’s final five minutes to gain the win.

With wins over second-seeded Lakeville North and third-seeded Apple Valley, Eagan/Rosemount (9-6) will play fourth-seeded and ninth-ranked Bloomington Jefferson (13-2) for the section championship Thursday at Jefferson High School. The winner advances to the final four in the state girls lacrosse tournament at Chanhassen High School.