Apple Valley Eagles Winning Streak Ends at 48 with OT Loss to Holy Family

2011 August 30

by Brian Quarstad

A rare sight as the Apple Valley Eagles soccer team walk off the field after a loss, their 1st since October of 2008. Photo by Jeremy Olson -www.digitalgopher.net

Perhaps it was that a bad omen that the Star Tribune ran a story yesterday on Apple Valley Boys Varsity Soccer Team and their attempt to defend their Boys 2A State Soccer Championship. In doing so, Apple Valley were also attempting to keep their consecutive game win streak intact as they went for number 49. But Holy Family High School had other plans and drew that era to a close yesterday. They took down the Apple Valley Eagles 2-1 in overtime in non-conference action. The win streak dated back to August of 2009.

Apple Valley had been ranked #1 in the Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association and was ranked again by ESPN Rise where they were in the top 10 in the Nation most of last season.

But many of the big names associated with the school’s soccer program over the last several years are gone. All-state players like Tom Obarski, who was also a Mr. Soccer candidate, midfielder Simon Goettl and goalkeeper Tim Van Beck all graduated. Hudson Fasching, who was an outstanding athlete and an up and coming hockey standout more than a soccer player, moved to Michigan to play on the national development squad for hockey according to that same Strib article. In fact most of the Apple Valley team that lined up for kick-off of the 2010 MSHSL State Championship game against Minneapolis Southwest are gone this season. All in all, AV graduated 15 seniors from last year’s squad.

However, don’t count Apple Valley down and out because of one loss. The 2010 championship team had lost 10 seniors the previous year and still came back to set records and win hardware. Head coach Chuck Scanlon, now in his 34th season with the team, and assistant coach Chris Lee, a 28-year veteran with the program, always seem to get their teams motivated to play. AV may not be the dominant power of last season but come playoff time, expect to see the Eagles back in the mix.