Taking advantage of a rare opponent mistake, Stella Triplett ensured the Eagan girls soccer team returns to downtown Minneapolis.
The junior scored in the 48th minute and Eagan beat Mounds View 1-0 Thursday in a Class 3A girls soccer quarterfinal at Shakopee West Middle School.
Winners of seven straight games, the third-seeded Wildcats (16-2-2) will face No. 2 Stillwater Wednesday in a 10 a.m. semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Ponies beat Duluth East 3-0 in their quarterfinal.
Eagan lost in last year’s state semifinals to eventual champion Wayzata and finished tied for third. Two years ago, it lost to Andover in the quarterfinals. Most of the players on those teams have graduated.
“We knew we were going to have to fight for it and go as a team … but we’ve always just worked together as a team. Our coach believed in us, we believed in each other. We kind of had that sisterhood that brought us together,” co-captain Ana Oenning said. “We wanted it last year, and we just keep driving and want it more this year.”
Triplett’s goal came via a prime striking opportunity from about 20 yards out on the right side. Her deftly placed shot went just over the goalkeeper and under the crossbar put the Wildcats up 1-0.
“My coaches told me to stay ahead of the last defender, and when I saw my teammate Ashlee Severson’s ball, I just needed to go,” Triplett said.
Mounds View coach John Pass knew a Mustang miscue was about the only way Eagan would score.
“We talked about it all week, if the ball doesn’t get over our backline and they don’t get any corners, they’re not going to threaten us,” Pass said. “I didn’t feel like they did. I thought we played fantastic.”
For much of the year, one goal has been enough for Eagan. The Wildcats have blanked 11 opponents and given up more than one goal once.
“We just work good as a unit and we cover so well for each other,” co-captain Evie Birk said.
Mounds View (10-7-3) had three excellent chances to tie in the final minute. Wildcat goaltender Abigail McGowan had to fully extend to deflect a free kick bound for under the crossbar by Ida Wynn over the net. The Mustangs also had a pair of corner kicks.
“I didn’t think we necessarily got what we deserved out of the game, but that’s sports,” Pass said.
