Soccer: Eagle boys snap 5-game losing streak

Eden Prairie High’s five-game boys soccer losing streak came to an end Aug. 8 with a 2-0 win over Southwest Christian High.

The Eagles had goals from junior defender Josh Cook and senior striker Lucatoni Banegas to end what had been a troublesome scoring slump.

“In our previous six games, we had a total of two goals,” said Jim Williams, the Eagles’ co-head coach along with Rob St. Clair. “Southwest Christian is a good side, and it was good to get a win like that.”

Eden Prairie had to work for its goals. Cook converted a pass from junior midfielder Given Aboni before Lucatoni added an insurance goal late in the second half.

“It is no secret that we’re an undersized team this year,” coach Williams said. “Our kids know they have to work hard.”

One EP player in tune with that message is the shortest boy on the varsity, sophomore Lucas Perales Ampuero. His ball winning was one of the keys against a tall, physical experienced Southwest Christian team. The Stars have 12 seniors on the roster and are led by defenders Brayden Beckering and Max Widdifield and midfielder Andrew Perry.

Southwest Christian had some good chances in the match, but Eden Prairie senior goalie Nathan Louwagie stopped everything in one of his best games of the year.

Eden Prairie’s ability to win balls in the midfield was apparent with good performances from Aboni, Banegas, Perales Ampuero, Jimi Plantage and Nam Tran. Cook, Daniel Leibovich and Alex Resendiz led the defense in front of Louwagie.

Coach Williams is happy to see the five-game losing streak go off the boards. “As coaches, Rob and I can manage five losses in a row, but it is harder on the kids,” Williams said.

The Eagles are looking forward to a nonconference match against Chaska at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Chaska High School.