Prior Lake overcomes loss of haltime lead to win boys' lacrosse state title

As a sophomore two years ago, Prior Lake's Alex Rejda was a junior varsity lacrosse player cheering the varsity to a state championship from the student section.

His view improved Saturday at Chanhassen High School. The student section joined the joyful scrum after Prior Lake's 10-8 championship victory and hoisted Rejda skyward. His five goals, including two in the fourth quarter, earned him a brief ride on the outstretched hands of his high school peers.

Across the field, Benilde-St. Margaret's senior Quinn Ehlen grabbed the runner-up trophy, hardware the previously undefeated Red Knights hoped to avoid after finishing second last season.

No. 2 seed Prior Lake (17-2) led 6-3 at halftime as Rejda tallied a hat trick. Then No. 1 seed Benilde-St. Margaret's (17-1) roared back, dominating the third quarter with three unanswered goals.

Jack Budniewski's mastery of the faceoff X played a key role in the Red Knights' control of the third quarter. For the game, he won 16 of 20 faceoffs.

"I thought we had it," Ehlen said. "We started clicking and scoring goals."

Prior Lake coach Chris Fleck, who directed the Lakers to the 2016 state title, said his team "held mentally tough. And our defense held strong. Benilde could've scored six or seven goals in that quarter."

Goals from John Leffler and Luke Bloedow restored an 8-7 Lakers lead. Then defender Brian Kallberg, who intercepted a Benilde-St. Margaret's pass in the second quarter and took the ball downfield for an assist on a Rejda's third goal, struck again.

"When we're down we know we have to create turnovers or make a big play to get the momentum going," Kallberg said.

Guarding two Red Knights behind the Prior Lake goal, Kallberg intercepted their pass, then turned and fired the ball 50 yards downfield to teammate Conor Miller. The sophomore midfielder made a run and assisted on Rejda's goal to give the Lakers a 9-7 lead.

Benilde-St. Margaret's responded with an Alex Webert goal just 14 seconds later. But Prior Lake didn't relent. Rejda's fifth goal came with 1:07 to play.