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Today our Eagan Girls Varsity Soccer Team will compete at US Bank Stadium in the State Semi-Finals. If they win today’s game they will proceed to play in the State Championship game on Thursday.

The team is made up of girls from every grade and includes many returning Varsity players. This year an extra effort was made to ensure the team connected. Watching other sporting events, going out to eat and studying together are just a few ways that the team has bonded. Senior Captain Lauren Boike adds, “…we have a lot of experience which makes it easier to play together…we’re all really close with one another.”

Eagan’s team is more versatile than in the past, with many girls possessing a range of skills that help them play multiple positions on the field. For example, Senior Captain Kayla Vrieze explains, “My position on the field depends on the game. I usually start at as a center defender just so that the team can get settled into the game. Then, depending on the situation, I sometimes get moved up to forward. For instance, if we are tied or losing I will usually get moved up but if we are winning I will stay on defense to close out the game.”

This strategy of helping players develop a diverse set of skills has paid off. Both Boike and Vrieze note that their confidence and abilities have grown this season.

When asked about today’s State Semifinal game, Boike confides that, “[it’s] exciting because we have a chance to upset Wayzata who is the number one seed in the state and is the only undefeated team. Our team is also very excited to play in U.S. Bank stadium in front of a big crowd.”

Vrieze concludes, “We really appreciate all of your support. The PIT and the fans really gets us pumped up and makes us play harder. Hopefully we will give everyone a good game and people enjoy coming.”

Good luck to all the Girls Varsity Soccer Players, including: Grace Hansen, Karlie Vrieze, Megan Plaschko, Chloe Miller, Ainsley Ditlefsen, Eryka Quick, Lauren Boike, Grace Sjoberg, Julia Barger, Molly Busch, Kayla Vrieze, Amanda Conkel, Abigail McKenzie, Nora McLoone, Ellen Pagois, Jessica Van Wyk, Brooke Peplinski, Lauryn Roszak, Josephine George, Taylor Grebin, Jacie Borman and Emily Cronkhite. We believe in you ladies!