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Eden Prairie's April Bockin is Star Tribune's Metro Player of the Year in girls' soccer

By DAVID La VAQUE, Star Tribune, 10/27/14, 11:53PM CDT

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April Bockin bounced back after rolling her ankle earlier this year, finishing with 24 goals and 14 assists.


Portrait of Eden Prairie High school's April Bockin was awarded girls soccer metro player of the year Thursday October 23 , 2014 in Eden Prairie ,MN. ] Jerry Holt Jerry.holt@startribune.com

An injury earlier this year threatened Eden Prairie’s April Bockin steady climb toward her considerable soccer goals. Bockin, recognized as one of the state’s top forwards since her freshman year, rolled an ankle during club soccer season and missed about four months. Sitting on the bench proved enlightening yet frustrating.

“There are a lot of things you don’t hear when you’re playing,” Bockin said. “So that actually helped me a lot, to hear what my coaches were saying about girls who were playing my position. But I just wanted to get back out there, and when I did I was ready to go.”

With her team facing one of the state’s tougher schedules, Bockin poured 24 goals and 14 assists into the Eden Prairie offense. Bockin, who has committed to the Gophers, leads the Eagles into the Class 2A state tournament semifinals on Tuesday against Lakeville North.

If Bockin’s playoff ledger is any indication, she likely will find a way into the game’s boxscore. She tallied seven of her team’s nine goals in four playoff games, including the lone goal in both the section final and last week’s state tournament quarterfinal victory.

Exceptional skill and clutch scoring are two reasons Bockin earned Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year honors.

“She’s a team player who uses her teammates well but she also accepts a lot of responsibility — especially for scoring,” Eagles’ coach Noel Quinn said. “She can hold the ball in difficult moments and create chances out of nothing.”

Bockin said scoring goals is simply part of a forward’s job description.

“I think the big games push me more because I know I need to bring my game,” Bockin said. “All my teammates can score but I know they look to me to score, too.”

Opponents know stopping Bockin is paramount to beating Eden Prairie. She has noticed increased attention this season.

“Edina put somebody on me right away the first time we played them,” said Bockin, who assisted on her team’s goal in a 1-0 victory over the Hornets. “I had to learn how to play being man-marked or a target for the defense. I think that helped build my game, though, because I knew I needed to pass the ball quicker.”

The Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association selected Bockin as Ms. Soccer in Class 2A, an award she aimed to win since eighth grade, when she saw former Eden Prairie standout Taylor Uhl so honored.

“I thought it was cool that she won and I just wanted to be exactly like that,” Bockin said.