The Laker soccer team celebrated its defeat over Eagan and placing third in state competition. (Photo by PLSAS Girls Soccer Team)
The Prior Lake girls soccer team wrapped up its 2025 state tournament run in historic fashion last week, earning the Class AAA third-place trophy and closing the program’s most successful season to date.
The Lakers continued in the state tournament with a semifinal matchup on Oct. 29 against defending champion and undefeated #1 seed Wayzata. Despite the 8 a.m. kickoff inside U.S. Bank Stadium, four student fan buses, the Prior Lake high school band and cheerleaders, and a spirited crowd of families and friends filled the purple-colored stands in support of the Lakers.
Prior Lake scored first midway through the opening half when senior forward Teagan Jurek finished a cross from Bre Phillips to give the Lakers a 1-0 halftime lead. However, Wayzata kept the pressure on all game and responded with two second-half goals, including the game-winner with just 10 minutes remaining, to escape with a 2-1 victory and advance to the championship.
The following morning, the Lakers regrouped to face Eagan in the third-place game, the last game of the season and last game of their careers for the seniors. Once again, Prior Lake scored first, this time on a goal from Ali Torres set up by a great touch pass from Teagan Jurek. The Lakers’ defense and goalkeeping held firm the rest of the way to secure a 1-0 victory, clinching the third-place Class AAA trophy and finishing the season with an impressive 15-6-1 record.
This was the first season under Head Coach Phil Walczak, who set a clear goal from day one: to get the Lakers to “The Bank.” That mission was accomplished in his debut year, as the team not only reached the state semifinals but set a new standard for program excellence. Walczak’s season-long motto, “Leave a Legacy,” became the central theme of the year, especially for the 12 seniors who helped define the team’s culture and success.
The entire girls soccer program gathered Sunday for its annual banquet at The Wilds Golf Course, celebrating a season defined by teamwork, leadership and excellence both on and off the field.
Varsity Awards and Honors
Most Valuable Player: Senior Midfielder Gianna Stiehm
Defensive Player of the Year: Senior Defender Taylor Hendrickson
Daggit (Spirit) Award: Senior Forward Teagan Jurek
Most Improved: Sophomore Goalie Elisia Kucinski
Rookie of the Year: Freshman Forward Paige Layman
All-State First Team: Senior Ellie Ohlmann
All-State Second Team: Senior Taylor Hendrickson
All-State Tournament Team: Senior Kendall Young and Senior Teagan Jurek
All-Section Tournament Team: Senior Kendall Young, Junior Toni Fisher, Senior Ellie Ohlmann and Sophomore Elisia Kucinski
All-Conference: Senior Teagan Jurek, Senior Lauren Schindler, Senior Gianna Stiehm, and Junior Ali Torres (Ohlmann and Hendrickson not nominated because of their all-state awards)
All-Conference Honorable Mention: Senior Mataya Smith, Senior Makenna Lyons, Senior Lily Oelrich, Senior Kendall Young, and Senior Bre Phillips
The team also earned the Academic Gold All-State Award for maintaining a combined GPA of 3.75 or higher — the highest academic distinction awarded to Minnesota high-school soccer teams.
Several seniors have also announced where they will continue their soccer careers at the collegiate level next year, including:
Ellie Ohlmann – Drake University
Teagan Jurek – Minnesota State, Mankato
Lauren Schindler – Minnesota State, Mankato
Taylor Hendrickson – Concordia–St. Paul
Mataya Smith – Concordia–St. Paul
Makenna Lyons – Northern State University
Bre Phillips – Winona State University