The Eden Prairie High School boys and girls soccer teams had a successful weekend, both securing victories in their home openers at Aerie Stadium. The boys team defeated Shakopee 1-0, while the girls team emerged victorious with a 3-2 win over the same opponent.
In the boys’ match, senior captain and striker Nam Tran scored the lone goal of the game with just over four minutes remaining in the first half. Tran’s goal proved to be the difference-maker, as the Eagles’ defense, led by senior captain Nathan Louwagie, held strong to secure the shutout victory. Louwagie’s exceptional performance in goal earned him back-to-back shutouts, following a 3-0 win over St. Louis Park in the season opener.
The boys team’s next challenge will be a road game against Buffalo, who also boasts a 2-0-0 record, on Tuesday, August 27th at 7 p.m. The Eagles will look to continue their winning streak and build momentum early in the season.
On the girls’ side, new head coach Jorge Oconitrillo saw his team improve to 2-0-0 with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Shakopee. The match was a tale of two halves, with the first half being sunny and scoreless, and the second half seeing a flurry of goals after clouds rolled in at halftime.
Despite falling behind early in the second half, the Eagles rallied back with goals from senior defender Gabriella Lainhart, senior forward Emily Langfield, and junior captain Leah Gschwendtner, whose 25-yard strike sealed the win with just over 11 minutes left in regulation. The victory over Shakopee followed a 1-0 win against Blaine in the season opener.
The girls team will also face Buffalo in their next game, scheduled for Tuesday, August 27th at 5 p.m. The Eagles will aim to maintain their winning streak and continue their strong start to the season under Coach Oconitrillo’s leadership.
Both the boys and girls teams have shown early promise and determination in their respective matches, setting a positive tone for the rest of the season. With talented players and dedicated coaching staff, the Eden Prairie soccer program looks poised for success as they navigate through their schedule and aim for postseason success.
