Since being named Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, Meredith Haakenson said she has not felt any added pressure. Her teammates made sure the pressure stayed off their star senior Thursday by picking up the scoring load.

Goals by Lexi Miller, Mia Omar and Lauren Bredensteiner in the victory exemplifies why the player of the year award is a team honor, Haakenson said.

“It is just a title,” Haakenson said of the award. “It does not really faze me. We all just came to play because we love this.”

Bredensteiner’s goal gave the Crimson a 1-0 lead in the first half. In the second half Haakenson had possession, pushed into East Ridge’s zone and passed the ball to Mia Omar, who drew a penalty inside the box. Omar made her free kick and squelched any chance of an East Ridge comeback.

East Ridge (12-7) nearly found its equalizer in the first half, but Crimson goalie Sarah Cortez got enough of the shot to turn it away.

“We showed the depth we have throughout our team,” Haakenson said. “A lot of players got on the board and just stepped up.”