Sports
Story, Photos: Eastview Girls Soccer Upset Favored Eagan To Get to State Tournament
Goals from MacMillan and Nesheim, and a strong defensive effort, lifted the Lightning to a 2-0 triumph over third-ranked Eagan.
The first time around, in the regular season, it was Eagan on top, 1-0. This time—the time that counted—the Eastview Lightning struck.
Eastview upset No. 3 and top-seeded Eagan 2-0 in the Class 3AA Section finals Tuesday evening at Park of Cottage Grove to advance to the girls state soccer tournament.
“It was one of our best,” said senior forward Paris Sanders. “We played the ball at each others' feet and focused on our opportunities.”
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The eighth-ranked Lightning (13-2-4) will play in the soccer tournament quarterfinals Oct. 26-28, the exact time, day and site to be determined in a Saturday seeding meeting.
Senior midfielder Taryn MacMillan staked the Lightning to a quick 1-0 lead just 5:13 into the game, and that proved to be all the goals Eastview would need.
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Senior forward Leah Nesheim added a second goal on a 3-on-1 breakaway at the 14:57 mark in the second half to give the Lightning some breathing room.
“We just played as a team,” Nesheim said.
Eagan came into the contest having allowed just six goals on the season, but Eastview took charge early and controlled the pace most of the game. Eagan brought up its forwards in the second half and pressed the attack all over the field, but the Lightning turned them away each threat.
“The first half, they were playing in a more composed atmosphere,” said MacMillan.
“We handled what they gave us,” said Eastview head coach David Herem.
Eastview’s defense, led by junior goalie Anhthu Huynh, denied the Wildcats time after time Tuesday. It was Huynh’s ninth shutout of the season.
“This had been one of my favorite teams to coach,” said Herem. “It’s a joy to be with them every day.”
The third-ranked Eagan Wildcats edged their season at 15-3-1.
The game was Eastview’s fourth over a ranked team this season.
It was also a bit of a revenge game for the Lightning. Eagan had knocked the Lightning out of a state berth two seasons ago with a 1-0 win in the section finals.
“To go to state is so exciting,” said senior defender Katie Tharp.
