CHASKA — Coaches often prepare for the unexpected, but Stillwater’s Carly Fedorowski happily admitted to not anticipating what unfolded on Tuesday, June 11 at Chaska High School.
The Ponies bolted out to a 10-1 halftime lead and pulled away for an 18-5 victory over fifth-seeded Minnetonka in the quarterfinals of the girls lacrosse state tournament.
“Yeah, I mean, we told the girls this is gonna be a two- to three-goal game, but we came out hot,” the coach said. “I told them to win every quarter and the game wasn’t over until the very end and they just they didn’t stop at all.”
Maycie Neubauer, Indira Capelle, Crimson Keykal and Mady Richert each found the back of the net in the first quarter and the surge continued into the intermission, leading the Ponies (13-3) into the state semifinals against top-seeded Lakeville South (17-0) on Thursday, June 13 at Eden Prairie High School.
The Ponies lost to the undefeated Cougars 16-4 on May 11, but Stillwater has won six in a row since.
Stillwater was well prepared for the Skippers (14-3), Fedorowski suggested, and eventually built a 15-1 lead until Minnetonka put together some goals in the fourth.
“We kind of thought they played a similar game to us, so we kind of prepared to play ourselves in a way,” Fedorowski said. “They’ve got some very good athletes and have a really good goalie. Our game plan was just was going to do the small things and we did them all today.”
Eight different Ponies scored a goal, led by Richert with four goals and a team-high four assists. Neubauer and Cassidy Keykal added three goals apiece while Crimson Keykal, Ava Mosley and Rayna Malmberg each supplied two goals. Lydia Glass also tallied two assists.
The depth and balance has been there all season and it was more of the same against Minnetonka.
“Just sharing the ball,” Fedorowski said. “I don’t know, but I would say 80 percent of our goals are assisted so if we can keep doing that and keep connecting on our passes — and our shooting was great, too. Defensively, we did our game plan to a T and they didn’t really have any answers. Overall, I was just proud of everyone.”
Stillwater goaltender Rio Atkinson celebrated her birthday with a victory that required just three saves for the junior.
“It was her birthday and she came up with some great saves,” Fedorowski said. “She played very well. I’m so proud of her and proud of everyone.”
The defensive extended across the field. Minnetonka struggled to create scoring chances and committed turnovers to help the Ponies seize control early.
“It was all our midfielders,” Fedorowski said. “If they could mark up in transition and then our attack if they could ride and just give everybody else a couple extra seconds to find their man and get in, that was kind of the game plan and they did just that.”
The scoring was spread out and the selfless play was also apparent, the coach suggested.
“Playing together as a team, and our bench is awesome,” Fedorowski said. “The energy was there the whole time. You can’t be a hero and do it all by yourself and we play our best when we’re trying to keep fun energy.”
Lilly Palm finished with two goals to lead the Skippers.
Stillwater has made seven appearances in the semifinals in 12 state appearances, but has never advanced to the finals.
Breaking through will not be easy against the Cougars, who drubbed Cretin-Derham Hall 17-4 in the semifinals and have outscored their opponents by a combined 274-57 this season. South has allowed an average of just 3.4 goals per game this season.
Minnetonka 0 1 0 4 — 5
Stillwater 4 6 5 3 — 18
Goals — Min, Lilly Palm 2, Jordyn Helling, Ava Wixo and Clara Gilbert; St, Mady Richert 4, Maycie Neubauer 3, Cassidy Keykal 3, Crimson Keykal 2, Ava Mosley 2, Rayna Malmberg 2, Myah Krueger and Indira Capelle.
Assists — Min, Helling and Gilbert; St, Richert 4, Lydia Glass 2, Marit Wolden, Malmberg and Neubauer.
Saves — Min, Adi Rothschild 9; St, Rio Atkinson 3.
Contact Stuart Groskreutz at stuart.groskreutz@apgecm.com
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