Jade King knows Eagan came dangerously close to losing its first game of the season and its spot atop the Class 2A rankings in a matchup with Eastview on Tuesday.

The Wildcats’ junior forward deflected a pass near Eastview’s goal, sending the ball past the Lightning’s sophomore goalkeeper Claudia Pueschner.

"I just saw the ball, and it was a good one, so I just got a piece of it and it went in," she said. "Thankfully it went in because we ended up needing it."

Eagan needed the goal because it struggled to convert on several scoring chances after the Lightning tied the score and ended the game in in a 1-1 draw with their South Suburban Conference rival. Eagan (11-0-1), No. 1 in the Minnesota High School Soccer Coaching Association’s Class 2A rankings, and Eastview (12-0-2), No. 2, remain tied atop the league standings following the game, leaving Wildcats’ head coach Turk Ozturk feeling positive about the finish.

"We obviously want the win and we had a lot of chances to win it but it could have been worse," he said. "They could have scored on some flukey goal at the end or in overtime, so you take it because we are still going to be the No. 1 team in the state and will be on top of the South Suburban standings."

Eastview is still Class 2A’s second-ranked team thanks to junior forward Emma Brechlin, who saved the Lightning from the loss when she finished a perfect pass from junior defender Mia Giorgi’s free kick with a header that shot past Eagan’s junior goalkeeper Jordyn Clark.

"They are really good on those set pieces and we knew that coming in," Ozturk said. "It was a great play on their part to tie the game."

Eagan had several chances in win the game in the second half but could not convert despite dominating possession in the Lightning zone and pressuring Eastview’s defense.

The Lightning, however, had the best chance to win the game in overtime.

Eastview nearly scored on header from a corner kick but Clark’s diving save ended the Lightning’s opportunity.

"It had a feeling of the same play they scored on (in the first half)," Clark said. "I just did what I had to do to make the save."

Eagan entered the game planning to keep Eastview from taking advantage on corner kicks. The Lightning had two.

"They have some tall players but are also really good with the ball in the air," Clark said. "That is what makes them so good on set pieces."

Clark, however, was equally adept at stopping Eastview’s offensive attack and her might not have sealed a victory for Eagan but it did preserve the Wildcats’ season.

"It was a huge save, obviously," Ozturk said.

Eagan and Eastview played to a 1-1 tie Tuesday at Eastview High School in matchup of Class 2A’s top two teams.

Junior forward Jade King scored in the 14th minute for the Wildcats (11-0-1), ranked No. 1 in the Minnesota State High School Coaching Association's Class 2A poll, and junior forward Emma Brechlin’s goal five minutes later, evened the score for the second-ranked Lightning (12-0-2).

The teams remain undefeated and tied atop the South Suburban Conference standings with a 6-0-1 league record.

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