Eden Prairie finishes one of its best soccer seasons

Other than two losses to Edina, the Eden Prairie High boys soccer team finished the 2026 season undefeated.

Co-coaches Jim Williams and Rob St. Clair watched the Eagles win the Lake Conference title and post an overall record of 13-2-2.

The second loss of the season against Edina Oct. 20, by a score of 3-0, left the Eagles one win shy of a trip to the State Class AAA Tournament. It was a tough loss for an EP team that included 17 seniors. Nevertheless, the entire body of work this season was an achievement each player and coach will remember for many years.

“We had one of the three best records in the history of the program,” coach Williams said after the loss to Edina. “What made it hard was we didn’t see the result of the last game coming. The score was 0-0 at halftime and we had some good chances. In close games we had been finding answers all year. But Edina was phenomenal in the second half.”

Coach Williams said he was proud of Eden Prairie’s sportsmanship after the match. Players were fighting back tears, but maintained decorum during the awards ceremony. One after one, Eden Prairie players congratulated each Edina player when medals were passed out.

“None of our players took their medals off,” coach Williams said. “It was a tough loss for all of us. We knew it would be a tough day at school the next day. Our kids care about each other, the coaches and our school. They will remember their friendship forever.”

Eden Prairie gave up very few goals this season with Charlie Strehl in front of the net. His size and strength allowed him to control the airways on corner kicks and throw-ins, and he had a record 100-yard punt (on the fly) in an early-season match.

One of the goals Edina scored in the section championship match was a penalty kick by Edina junior midfielder Eli Seim, who hesitated then shot the ball into the net.

Two scorers stood out for the Eagles this season. Cyrus Vargas, the senior captain, stood out with 10 goals and four assists. Junior Abdullah Malik was a force with eight goals and six assists. Senior Lucas Perales, on the right wing, was another dangerous striker, with nine points. Julian Garcia added three goals.

Injuries on defense took away some of Eden Prairie’s armor in the playoffs. Nathan Peters, one of the key seniors, was injured in the championship match against Edina. Before the playoffs got underway, sophomore Andrew Boulay was ruled out for the season with an injury. “We just didn’t have enough depth to overcome those injuries,” coach Williams said.

Co-head coach Rob St. Clair told Williams that this is his last season with the team. “Rob will be missed,” Williams said. “He is a great coach and a great teacher. The team gave him a salute after the Edina game.”

Although Edina loses 17 seniors to graduation, the cupboard is not exactly bare for next season. Underclassmen who can return are led by Malik in the midfield and Boulay on defense. Garcia is another strong player set to come back. Naim Umar is another talented and experienced varsity midfielder. Henry Robbins was the reserve goalkeeper as a freshman this season.

Other teams will have more experience than Eden Prairie when the 2027 Lake Conference season begins, but the Eagles will fight to retain their place atop the standings.