The girls’ soccer program at Eagan has benefitted from a change of fate.

Former Lakeville North mentor Bulut Ozturk thought he would be coaching at the collegiate level at this time. Instead, a change of heart has him guiding the Wildcats through a 15-0-1 regular season, to a South Suburban Conference championship and the No. 1 ranking in the Class 2A poll by the coaches association.

“I left Lakeville North to pursue a position in the college ranks,” Ozturk said. “I really thought I was ready to make the move.

“I later had second thoughts about leaving high school, and the job opened up in Eagan. It turned out to be the right fit.”

Ozturk replaced Mark Obarski at the helm of the Wildcats’ program. Obarski guided the Wildcats for 14 seasons.

“Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive,” Ozturk said. “Eagan is an amazing program.”

The Wildcats were coming off a 12-4-2 campaign in 2013. They finished fifth in the South Suburban Conference and lost to Eastview 5-1 in the Section 3 semifinals.

“We were a little disappointed in the way the season ended last year,” Wildcats senior defender Rachel Wall said. “We entered this season with high hopes.”

And, a new coaching philosophy.

“We focus on a team-first mentality with everything we do. No one player is above or below anyone else on the team,” Ozturk said. “This team is extremely talented and we have taken a unique approach towards development, building a championship culture and introducing a new style of play.”

Wall has noticed the change.

“We were a more simple team last year,” Wall said. “We focus a lot more on possessing the ball now. I think that’s been the biggest change. We play a different style, and it has paid off for us.”

Ozturk is implementing his style throughout the program.

“The success that we have earned starts with our ninth-grade program all the way up through the varsity team,” Ozturk said. “The program develops smart soccer players from a tactical standpoint, an organized and technically sound team, as well as a conditioned and mentally tough team.”

The Wildcats average 2.8 goals per game, down from 3.1 goals a year ago, but their goals-against average is down as well, to 0.4 goals from 0.9 goals last season. They have shut out 11 of their 16 opponents.

“I enjoy how hard these kids want to work and how badly they want to succeed,” Ozturk said. “We are determined group, but we are humble enough to know that we cannot stand alone. We rely on each other, and together, we know that the possibilities are endless.”

Ozturk guided Lakeville North to three consecutive state tournament appearances before departing. The Panthers were the runner-up to Minnetonka last year.

“Now I hope to do the same for Eagan,” Ozturk said. “It’s a new adventure.”

His players are embracing the trip. Eagan hasn’t appeared in the state tournament since back-to-back trips in 2009 and 2010.

“Ideally, we want to win a state championship,” Wall said. “We want to prove ourselves to the rest of the state.”

Ron Haggstrom • 612-673-4498