Taking advantage of a rare opponent mistake, Stella Triplett ensured the Eagan girls soccer team’s return to downtown Minneapolis. The junior scored in the 48th minute as Eagan beat Mounds View 1-0 Thursday in a Class 3A girls soccer quarterfinal at Shakopee West Middle School.
Winners of seven straight games, the third-seeded Wildcats (16-2-2) will face No. 2 Stillwater Wednesday in a 10 a.m. semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Ponies advanced by beating Duluth East 3-0 in their quarterfinal.
Eagan lost in last year’s state semifinals to eventual champion Wayzata and finished tied for third. Two years ago, the Wildcats were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Andover. Most players from those earlier teams have since graduated.
“We knew we were going to have to fight for it and go as a team, but we’ve always just worked together as a team. Our coach believed in us, we believed in each other. We kind of had that sisterhood that brought us together,” said co-captain Ana Oenning. “We wanted it last year, and we just keep driving and want it more this year.”
Triplett’s deftly placed shot went just over the goalkeeper and under the crossbar, putting the Wildcats up 1-0. “My coaches told me to stay ahead of the last defender, and when I saw my teammate Ashlee Severson’s ball, I just needed to go,” Triplett said.
Mounds View coach John Pass acknowledged that a Mustang error was likely the only way Eagan would score. “We talked about it all week, if the ball doesn’t get over our backline and they don’t get any corners, they’re not going to threaten us,” Pass said. “I didn’t feel like they did. I thought we played fantastic.”
For much of the year, one goal has been enough for Eagan. The Wildcats have achieved 11 shutouts and have conceded more than one goal only once. “We just work good as a unit and we cover so well for each other,” co-captain Evie Birk said.
Mounds View (10-7-3) had three excellent chances to tie the game in the final minute. Wildcat goaltender Abigail McGowan had to fully extend to deflect a free kick by Ida Wynn that was aimed under the crossbar. The Mustangs also had two corner kicks during that period.
“I didn’t think we necessarily got what we deserved out of the game, but that’s sports,” Pass reflected.
https://www.twincities.com/2025/10/23/girls-soccer-stella-triplett-sends-eagan-back-to-class-3a-semifinals/