Losing in the section finals the last two seasons could be the key to winning a state title for Connor Stevenson and his East Ridge teammates.
The Raptors lost in the Section 4AA finals last year to eventual Class 2A state champion North St. Paul and Stillwater defeated East Ridge two years ago.
The sting of those defeats caused the Raptors to jell and commit to working harder, resulting in a belief they are ready to overcome their section slump, Stevenson said.
“The past two years, we’ve learned what we’ve done wrong and this year is our year,” he said.
East Ridge, No. 1 in the Minnesota High School Soccer Coaching Association’s Class 2A rankings, showed no evidence Stevenson was wrong as the senior forward scored four goals to lead the Raptors to a 5-2 victory over Woodbury, No. 3 in Class 2A. The Raptors’ victory wrapped up the Suburban East Conference title for East Ridge (15-0-0, 7-0) and ended the Royals’ undefeated run at 12 games.
Stevenson, who is the state’s second-highest goal scorer this season with 22 goals, was too much for the Royals’ defense to handle, East Ridge head coach Anthony Bidwell said.
“(Stevenson) was just on fire,” he said. “Nobody was going to shut him down tonight. He’s just amazing.”
Woodbury became the latest powerhouse program shut down by the Raptors this season. Eden Prairie, Mounds View, North St. Paul and Stillwater all lost to East Ridge and those victories have the Raptors believing the section championship won’t be their final game this season, Stevenson said.
“We can play with anybody in the state and that if we keep up and keep working hard, I think we can have a good run in sections and make it to state,” Stevenson said.
Confidence is one championship trait East Ridge has as it prepares to enter the postseason. Chemistry is another. Half of the team’s eight seniors, including Stevenson, have four years of varsity playing experience and many are members of the Raptors’ tennis team.
Senior leadership is crucial if East Ridge wants to finally win all three games in the upcoming section tournament and play in the state tournament, Bidwell said.
“(The seniors are) stronger,” he said. “They’re more intelligent. They have a high soccer IQ. And, collectively, they want it for each other and I think that’s very important.”
