Senior goalie Dalton VonKaenel isn’t hard to miss. He stands between the posts, protecting the Wildcats’ net from opposing offenses. But more than that, he just stands out.

Along with his pink socks, shorts and jersey, he’s got a flaming pink Mohawk, which makes it as noticeable as a full moon on a clear night. 

Coach Alan Merrick called VonKaenel’s haircut a cockerel rooster dew.

“(It) is something to behold,” Merrick said, adding that VonKaenel is also very charismatic.

“He’s a character, as all the goalkeepers I’ve ever played with or coached,” Merrick said. “He has the mentality like he’s a little different and he marches to the beat of a different drum, but when the game is underway, he’s a stalwart for our program.”  

VonKaenel was as solid as a goalie can be Thursday night in a South Suburban Conference matchup with Lakeville North. He stopping every Panthers’ shot to secure a 1-0 victory for Eagan, ranked No. 9 in the Class 2A coaches’ poll.

The Mohawk tradition started in seventh grade. After he sported a fauxhawk the year before, VonKaenel asked his mom if he could get the unique hairstyle, and she was OK with it. 

The color usually resembles the his jersey color or a special occasion. For the Fourth of July, he changed it to red, white and blue. 

VonKaenel said some teammates believe it’s an intimidation factor.

“Some people say it helps intimidate, especially since I’m kind of a bigger guy. But I do it for fun, it works for an intimidation factor I guess, but I just do it for fun,” VonKaenel said.

Chad Miller, who scored the game-winner against Lakeville North, has known VonKaenel since elementary school. Miller was surprised the haircut lasted longer than a couple days, but disagrees with VonKaenel about the power of the Mohawk.

“It’s very controversial at our school,” Miller said. “It’s very intimidating.”   

It’s unknown if the Mohawk had an effect on Eagan’s offense Thursday night, but VonKaenel and the Wildcats (4-0-1,2-0-0) shut down the Panthers (3-2-1,1-1-0), who had plenty of opportunities to hit the equalizer. Merrick said VonKaenel’s presence in the net is second to none.  

“He’s probably the best goalkeeper in the high school program,” Merrick said. “He’s got good presence everywhere. He commands the penalty box, he’s got agility that is surprising, he’s got the best haircut in Minnesota.”

Considering the resume of Merrick, that’s saying something. He played professionally from 1968-1983. Most of his appearances came with West Bromwich Albion, which is part of the English Premier League. Merrick also spent considerable time with the Minnesota Kicks, a professional soccer team that played in the North American Soccer League from 1976-81. He also played for England’s U-18 team in 1968 and the United States national team in 1983.

Merrick’s experience playing soccer has taught him that the stepping stones for success later in the season come from the player’s cohesiveness, and that’s what he’s instilling in his team.

Miller said the Wildcats have the right pieces to get to the Class 2A state tournament.

“We have solid of players that all have great attitudes and great work rates on and off the field, they’re great guys and I think we can do it,” Miller said.

In early November, there’s a possibility that VanKaenel’s Mohawk could be dyed gold if the Wildcats continue reach state.  

Chad Miller netted the only goal in Eagan’s 1-0 victory over Lakeville North in a South Suburban Conference tussle Thursday night at Lakeville North High School.

Miller scored in the first half after the Wildcats, ranked No. 9 in the Class 2A coaches' poll, registered a free kick from around 35 yards out. The senior midfielder made solid contact on the opportunity and sneaked it past Panthers junior goalie Nick Hartshorn.        

Eagan battles Section 3 rival Park of Cottage Grove on Saturday, while Lakeville North has its sights on crosstown rival Lakeville South on Tuesday.    

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