Sports
Photos: Apple Valley Barely Holds Off Eagan for 8-6 Win
Wildcats fall behind 6-0 in South Suburban Conference boys lacrosse match Monday before rallying in the second half only to fall just short
Eagan's Wildcats couldn't handle Apple Valley's transition game early, fell behind 6-0 and never could quite climb all the way back Monday night.
Apple Valley built a 6-0 lead and then turned back a furious second-half Eagan rally to claim an 8-6 win Monday in a South Suburban Conference boys lacrosse game at Apple Valley High School.
Eagan got the first four shots on goal, but all either sailed wide, were stopped or hit the post and then Apple Valley took over. The Eagles led 4-0 after the first quarter and then 6-0 in the second before the Wildcats started connecting.
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“Our transitions were very good,” said Apple Valley head coach Ben Uzilk of the early Apple Valley dominance.
Eagan bounced back and cut Apple Valley’s lead to 6-3 at the half on a three-goal binge in less than two minutes on scores by Cody Grovenstein, Scott Pescheret and Max Eksebheimer.
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Neither team could gain much of an advantage in the third period and Apple Valley led 7-4 with one quarter to play. The Wildcats made it exciting in the final quarter, however.
Connor Uzlik gave the Eagles an 8-4 just into the fourth period. Then Eagan’s Pescheret and Cullen Willox scored to cut the lead to 8-6 and came close on another goal in the final minute before time expired.
“I liked that we didn’t give up in the fourth quarter,” said Eagan junior defenseman Zack Block. “And when we were one-man down (to penalties) we held them to 0-2, that was something to be proud of for the offense and the defense.”
Junior midfielder Derek Falteisek had two goals and assists on each of Apple Valley’s final four scores.
“In the second half we really stepped up,” said Eagan assistant coach Adam Crane.
The loss was a measure of revenge for the Eagles, who lost 14-6 to Eagan in the regular season last year and then fell 10-4 in the section finals.
“Last year we lost both games to them so this was about getting revenge,” said Connor Uzlik, Apple Valley leading scorer.
“Our ball movement and cuts were good and our defensive play was really good, too.”
