Prep athletes of the week: Eagan goalie colors shootout prowess in pink

The hair serves its purpose — the senior goalkeeper's pink mohawk unsettles opponents — but it's what is in the senior goalkeeper's head that mattered last week.

Von Kaenel made 12 saves, including two in a row in a shootout, to lift the Wildcats to a 1-0 victory over St. Paul Central in the Class 2A, Section 3 championship game. The victory sent Eagan to the state tournament for the first time since 2003.

Making one save in a shootout is often the difference between winning and losing. Two? Rarely happens.

Von Kaenel said the key was his ability to know his opponents and their tendencies before they step up to shoot.

"During the game, I study the other teams' players to see what they might do," he said. "I watch their faces and then I just pick a side and go with it."

After stopping the Central shooters twice, Von Kaenel said, the hardest part was enduring the tension while watching his teammates shoot.

"It was a little stressful watching my teammates after that," Von Kaenel said. "I was just pumped to what I could to help my team win. That's the best game I've ever had as in high school."

With victories over Eastview and Rosemount (No. 5 in Class 3A) last week, the Cougars assured themselves of second place in the South Suburban Conference. Johnston, an Iowa-bound senior outside hitter, had 10 kills, 25 digs, 15 serve receives and was 35-for-35 serving.

A completely healthy Kruah is a dangerous weapon. The senior running back, who missed three midseason games with an ankle injury, piled up career highs in rushing attempts (45) and rushing yards (364) and scored four touchdowns in the Orioles' 56-34 victory over Hopkins.

DANI LOPEZ

The Crusaders closed out the regular season with a 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 25-17 victory over Legacy Christian. Lopez, a senior outside hitter, racked up a season-high number of kills, 22, on a .356 hitting percentage. She added 11 digs and was 16-for-16 serving.

The senior quarterback and three-year starter completed 14 of 21 passes for 194 yards and four touchdowns, matching his career high, as the Panthers returned to the state tournament for the fifth consecutive year with a 42-28 victory over Stillwater.

JIM PAULSEN

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