This year has had an unpredictable schedule for all sports. Starting in the summer of 2020, fall sports had been arranged to take place, but with uncertainty due to the spread of Coronavirus. Fortunately, every fall sport was able to be played this year, some sports with major modifications to their schedule. Every sport had its own successes and downfalls. Each day could have been the last day of the season. Fall athletes had to give it their all each day at practice, and especially at games. Although most sports had a reduction in the amount of games/races for the season, here are some highlights from each of the fall sports:

Boys Football

The boys’ football team had a late start to the season due to the coronavirus concerns. They played their first game in early-October and ended their season in mid-November. Their season was also slightly shortened to a six-game regular-season schedule. 

The stand-out highlight of the boys’ football team was their first win since 2017 against Eastview in the newly renovated Eagan Wildcat stadium. The Wildcats put up an impressive victory over the Eastview Lightning with a score of 37-15. This win ended a 27 game victory drought, which the players celebrated on the field. 

Girls Soccer

The girls’ soccer team had a shortened season but played with extreme success. At the beginning of their season, they had to reschedule multiple of their games due to COVID-19, but that did not stop them from gaining momentum throughout the season. 

This year, the girls reached the section championship game, competing with the undefeated Rosemount Irish. The girls’ team shut out the Irish in a 1-0 victory, which granted them their title of Section Champions. The girls’ soccer team had an impressive overall record of 10-2-2.  

Boys Soccer

The boys’ soccer team also had a significantly shortened season. They found great success this year compared to previous seasons. The boys were able to keep their game schedule as expected, without any interruptions. 

The boys’ soccer team had an overall record of 7-4-1. They started off the season very strongly with a starting record of 5-1. During their five-game win streak, the Wildcats only let up one goal to the Shakopee Sabers. On the opening night of the section playoffs, the boys played against the Rosemount Irish. Although the boys dominated the field that night, they were not able to find the back of the net. Unfortunately, they ended their season in a disappointing shootout to the Irish. 

Boys Cross Country

Boys’ cross country was able to have a strong season with a slight reduction regarding their season length. Only three teams were allowed in at each race to help reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19.  

In the SSC Championships, the boys’ team was able to place third. The Wildcats’ top three runners, Michael Marshall, Sam Marshall, and Andre Huston placed top 20th in the 5,000-meter race.

Girls Cross Country

Similar to the boys’ team, girls’ cross country had the same reduction in length of their season. Again, only three teams were allowed in each race to help reduce the risk of COVID-19, although they were still ranked with the other teams who ran at separate times. 

In sections, the girls’ team placed fifth out of 16 teams. Junior Rina Aschemann was the fastest of the Wildcats and placed eleventh in the section.

Girls Swim & Dive

The girls’ swim and dive team started their season in early-August and ended their season in late-October. Each of their events was held virtually to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus. Every race was recorded on the Eagan TV Youtube channel.  

The girls’ swim and dive team were extremely successful this year setting records and being victorious in the Section 3AA finals. The Wildcats also had a swimmer signing a National Letter of Intent. Grace Erickson, from the girls’ swim team, signed a National Letter of Intent with Providence College.  

Girls Tennis

The girls’ tennis team had a shortened season from early-August to mid-October. Unlike usual years, each team had to provide balls for all of their players, regardless of if the match was home or away. Doubles partners also experienced something new, where they were not permitted to give their partner a hive-five after points, a usual celebration. 

The team made it through the season and into sections, where they beat Highland Park in the quarter-final round and lost to Simley in the semi-finals. Simley then went on to be the Section 3AA champion.

Girls Volleyball 

The girls’ volleyball team had a significantly shortened season. They also had a few of their games canceled. Their first game was in early-October, and they ended their season in mid-November. 

Although Kennedi Orr, two-time winner of the Gatorade Player of the Year, sat out most of the season due to an injury on her left knee, the Wildcats were still able to find success. Various talents came from the other Division one commits including Kendal Kemp (Auburn), Sienna Ifill (Marquette), Abby Moe (North Dakota State), Delaney Foerster (Albany). The Wildcats put up an impressive 9-2 record in their shortened season.