Eagan High Lacrosse Team Reloading, Not Rebuilding

Eagan High School’s Wildcats finished third in the state lacrosse tournament last season, but as for how the team is going to be this year, head coach Bob Felter can only laugh.

“They’re all gone,” Felter said. “We had 24 seniors last year. We’re going to be horrible. That’s what I want all the other coaches to know. We’re rebuilding.”

A host of talented seniors such as attacker Willie Hersman, midfielder Kyle Sturgeon and defensemen John Opsahl and Shane Potocnik led Eagan to a 13-5 overall record and a third-place finish in the state tournament. Replacing those players isn’t going to be easy.

“I think we’ll be good,” said Eagan sophomore Connor Simpson. “It’s more of a reloading year, not rebuilding. We have a lot of middie talent, good defense and strong attack.”

Eagan was 7-3 and tied for third in the rugged MSHSL South Suburban Conference last season. But the Wildcats came into their own during the section playoffs, going 3-0 wins wins over Rochester Mayo, Burnsville and Apple Valley. Eagan dropped a state semifinal game to Totino Grace, then blasted Wayzata 14-6 to finish third in the state last spring.  

“Seriously it was fun,” Felter added. “The kids were great guys. I had 24 seniors. I can only carry 24 on a team so I cut seniors. So our team actually consisted of 18; Kids that have played together forever and that’s what it takes. I have a lot of talent here but they’re a lot of raw guys.”

One of Eagan’s top returners is right-side attacker Simpson, who had about 30 goals last season as a freshman on a senior-dominated squad.

“The older guys named him the future,” Felter said. “He will be, if he keeps up doing what he’s doing, he’ll be a name to be reckoned with coming out of Minnesota to play somewhere. He’s that good.”

Junior Lucas Peterson returns in goal and was 12-3 with 132 saves heading into last year’s state tournament.

“If I’m starting a lacrosse team I want a good goalie and I have two of them,” Felter said. “Actually there’s another kid who just started, Jacob Westerly. He’s also a good goalie. He’s a senior.”

Sophomore midfielder Cullen Willox, junior defenseman Calvin Lamb and junior faceoff specialist Scottie Pescheret should be key contributors for the Wildcats this season.

“The rest of the guys, like I said, we are open for everybody,” Felter said. “We graduated 18 kids. So it’s an open book for new kids.”

With so many newcomers to the varsity, it’s likely to take the Wildcats a while to develop into an effective team.

“We’re lacking team chemistry right now I think,” said Simpson. “ I think that’s all we’re missing right now.”

Despite losing a host of experienced and talented seniors, Felter expects the Wildcats to be competitive again this season.

“Stick skills are there pretty much,” he said. “Eagan is always in the top 10, 12, in the state every year no matter what and I don’t see that being any different this year.”

Conference rivals Eden Prairie and Burnsville should have strong teams this season, along with defending state champion Benilde-St. Margaret’s.

Despite its losses from last season, Felter said his team has set its sights on a return trip to the state tournament.

“I’m an optimistic coach,” he said. “I got a taste of state and I’d like to go back. I don’t see why we can’t. It’s fun this year because we actually have to work a little more now. And we’ve got a lot of younger guys that are unfamiliar with what varsity lacrosse is all about. Their fundamentals aren’t the best, but that’s OK. We’ve got some good athletes and I can work with that.”

Lacrosse is still building its fan base in Minnesota. Originally played by Native Americans perhaps as early as the fifth century, the sport is growing in Minnesota. About 60 boys teams are in Minnesota State High School League, which held its fourth state tournament last season.

“It’s a combination of everything,” said Felter. “You’ve got a little soccer, a little hockey. It’s the fastest game on two feet. It’s the oldest sport in North America.”