EDEN PRAIRIE EAGLES SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS, WIN DICK'S SPORTING GOODS MIDWEST CUP U-15 TITLE
(June 25, 2009)
by Sarah Eigner
The Eden Prairie Eagles (Minn.) defeated the Memphis Flying Elvises (Tenn.), 8-4, in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Midwest Cup boys’ U15 division championship game, securing a bid to compete for the national title at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions. The Eagles were the only team to finish the weekend with a perfect 7-0 record.
The Eagles overpowered their division, scoring 85 goals while allowing just 18. They also beat the Elvises in pool play, 8-5, just five hours before the championship game. Despite his team's victory earlier in the day, head coach Mike Maloney made sure his Eagles did not go into the championship game overly confident.
“The first win gave the boys a little confidence knowing they could beat them,” explained Maloney. “But we knew how good they were, and the boys knew they had their work cut out for them.”
Fourteen-year-old Peyton Klawinski of the Memphis Flying Elvises gave the Eagles a run for their money, scoring two goals apiece each time the teams met. In seven games, the sniper tallied nine goals.
“The kid was ridiculous,” said Coach Maloney. “We knew we had to shut him down.”
In the championship game, Maloney left Arik Andreen, his best defender, with the tall order of defending Klawinski. The Eden Prairie coach was able to live with Klawinski scoring twice.
The Eagles led the entire championship game. Attackmen Grant Oie and Sam Gravelle each scored three goals, while Jake Woodring dominated at the face-off 'X'.
Coach Maloney, Oie and Gravelle praised Woodring's performance, as the middie and face-off specialist helped jump-start the offense.
“Jake won about 90% of the face-offs and was a huge part of our success,” said Maloney. “Getting out on breaks and getting early leads helped us. His decision-making was fantastic.”
“It is a very big compliment,” said Woodring, who scored one goal and assisted on three others in the championship game. “I don’t think I was really the star but my team worked together and got the win.”
The Eagles are anxious to battle for the national championship in Florida this winter and escape the Minnesota cold. “The kids are very excited about it,” said Maloney. “It’s just an opportunity to play against the best and that is what these guys really want to do; show what Minnesota lacrosse is all about.”
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