High school soccer season reveals surprises, big games ahead

Eagan soccer coach Bulut Ozturk made clear the expectation for his defending Class 2A state champion girls' team on the first day of practice.

"There's enough talent on this roster for back-to-back state championships," said Ozturk, raising the bar for the Wildcats, Class 2A champs three times in the past four years.

And there's enough of Ozturk to go around. He became the rare coach of both a girls' and boys' varsity program when he took on the Eagan boys' soccer job before this fall.

Ozturk isn't the only one taking the pulse of the state's top boys' and girls' programs. Here's a look at what the season's first few games revealed as well as projections for what's ahead.

On the boys' side, Class 2A title game combatants Wayzata and runner-up Stillwater ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the coaches' preseason poll. The Ponies then moved into the top spot after going 3-0-1 to start and scoring 16 goals.

Spencer Scott, a first-team all-state selection last season, tallied six goals and four assists. Sophomore Gora Gora added five goals, and second-team all-state selection Logan Huber helped the defense shut out three opponents.

Wayzata, meanwhile, is navigating a few key personnel changes. Junior Patrick Weah, a first-team all-state selection and key cog in the Trojans' state title push, will miss most of the season after suffering an ACL tear.

Teams to watch include Minneapolis Washburn, which moved to third in the rankings after defeating then-No. 3 Edina and tying No. 9 East Ridge.

In Class 1A, defending champion Totino-Grace outscored Class 2A opponents Spring Lake Park and Anoka by a combined score of 13-0. Herbert Endeley (five goals) and Steevenson Lamarre (four) provided the offensive punch. Endeley, a Mr. Soccer favorite, is committed to Indiana.

On the girls' side, defending champion Eagan started 3-0-1, allowed just one goal and yet fell from No. 3 to No. 5 in the rankings. A loaded Wayzata team featuring six Division I recruits — Eva Bruer, Sam Dietrick, Lily Gilbertson, Madison Lo, Megan Malecha and Maya Turner — holds the No. 1 spot.

The Trojans started 4-0 and outscored opponents 14-0. On Tuesday, Wayzata faces No. 3 Edina, a team averaging 5.5 goals per game. The Trojans' Bruer and the Hornets' Sophia Bowman have made verbal commitments to Minnesota.

No. 3-ranked Maple Grove also returns a host of Division I-committed players hungry to avenge last season's title game loss: LJ Kolodge, Lexi Miller, Mia Omar and Maddie Rayta. In addition, Mannon McMahon is committed Minnesota Duluth's hockey program.

Mahtomedi, champ in Class 1A, started 3-0 and beat White Bear Lake (No. 4, Class 2A). Four Division I recruits pace the Zephyrs: Hannah Goralnick, Lauren Heinsch, Sydney Panek and Audrey Sexson.

The Washburn boys' can earn consideration for the top spot by succeeding in consecutive big games taking place Sept. 15 at Stillwater and Sept. 20 at Wayzata. The latter also holds Section 6 implications.