Lauren Witte’s inability to tell jokes is laughable. 

No matter how hard she tries, Witte struggles to elicit laughter from her friends and teammates. And yet, she remains adamant about her sense of humor.

“A lot of people think I’m not funny, but I actually am,” Witte said. 

Members of the Eastview girls’ soccer team didn't find Witte’s play on the soccer field to be funny, either. 

Witte scored a goal with 16:26 left in regulation to propel Lakeville North to a 1-0 victory over league rival Eastview on Thursday at Eastview High School in Apple Valley. 

Witte’s sixth goal of the season helped the Panthers (11-1) maintain their position atop the standings of the ultra-competitive South Suburban Conference, which has four teams in the top 10 of the Class 2A coaches’ poll. Lakeville North is ranked No. 2 and has a half-game lead on No. 1 Eagan with just two regular-season games remaining.

Witte may not have funny jokes, but she still manages to put smiles on the faces of her teammates because of her personality. 

“She’s got spunk,” junior Caitlyn Peterson said. 

She also has an energy level not many can rival. Maybe it is the “pump-up” songs she listens to on her phone before a game, or maybe it’s the Starbucks caffeinated beverage she drinks. Whatever it is, Witte finds a way to play with a high amount of energy the entire game. 

“She is intense, wants the ball and is tenacious as she tries to find the goal,” Lakeville North coach Jeremiah Johnson said. “That’s what you want in a forward.” 

Witte doesn’t just try to find the goal. Quite often, she scores. Witte’s goal against the Lightning ties her for the team with with senior Alexis Tousignant. 

Not bad for Witte’s first year with the Panthers. 

Witte couldn’t participate her freshman year because she played in the Elite Clubs National League, making her ineligible. Last year, she planned to join Lakeville North but decided to play with an elite Under-14 boys’ team. 

Witte said the decision was difficult, but she made it because it gave her the best opportunity to be recruited by a Division I program.

Johnson, who likes his squad to train and scrimmage against the Lakeville North boys’ soccer team, thinks it may contribute to Witte’s intense and physical playing style.

“I don’t know if that is why she is the way she is, but it certainly doesn’t hurt,” he said. 

Witte committed to Nebraska-Omaha last spring and decided to make her debut for Lakeville North as a junior.

Not only has Witte been happy with her success but also her decision to play high school soccer because of the friends she’s made and others she has re-connected with. 

“High school has been amazing,” she said. “It’s going so well.” 

Taylor Lock, Lakeville North’s junior goalkeeper who has 10 shutouts in 12 games this season, is one of those old friends. She and Witte met while playing traveling basketball in elementary school and have been good friends since. 

She is one of several Panthers who are happy Witte has joined them. 

“We have so much balance already, (she) just brings a whole new level to (our offense),” Lock said. 

Witte is another weapon in Lakeville North’s offensive arsenal, Johnson said.

“She’s got us a few really clutch goals,” Johnson said. 

Witte is one of several players coming up big for the Panthers, he added. 

“Olivia Bruce will be super clutch on one day, getting two goals against Wayzata,” he said. “Alexis Tousignant will be clutch on another day and get two goals against Hill-Murray. None of them really stand out as the No. 1 goal scorer on the team. But because they're learning how to work together, they’re all raising their game at the same time.”

Witte also has raised the team’s positivity level, even though she isn’t getting her teammates to laugh at her jokes. 

“It is just a super high level of positivity,” Johnson said. “She brings that to whatever group she is in, whether that is a soccer group or socially.”

Lauren Witte scored late in the second half to propel Lakeville North to a 1-0 victory over league rival Eastview on Thursday at Eastview High School in Apple Valley. 

The Panthers (11-1), ranked No. 2 in the Class 2A coaches' poll, maintain their position atop the standings of the South Suburban Conference, which has four ranked teams, with two games left in the regular season. 

The victory was Lakeville North's seventh consecutive shutout and 10th in its last 12 games. 

Witte's game-winner marked her sixth goal of the season, which is tied for the most among Panthers players. 

Both teams showcased strong defenses in the first half, but Lakeville North dominated possession in the second half, rarely allowing Eastview (8-3-1) to put pressure on the net. Panthers goalkeeper Taylor Lock only needed to make one save in the second half and finished with three in the game. 

Goalie Claudia Pueschner made three saves for No. 9-2A Eastview.

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