BOYS Top 20 Preview: #10 Edina
We wrote about the Hornets in an early pre-season storylines blog post about this being their year. While I do think they will be very good, it would be unfair of me to say this is their year without saying, they have been a really good program over the last 5-6 seasons. They have endured some heartbreaking section final losses in the state’s toughest section and if/when they get through section 6, they have a very good chance of making a run to a state title.
“Tale of the Tape”
*according to LaxNumbers
**according to MN Lax Hub
2024 Record: 11-4
Strength of Schedule: 76.62 (4th in MSHSL)*
Team Offense: Averaged 11.13 Goals For per game (20th in MSHSL)**
Graduated Senior Production: 2.3% (yes, you read that right)
Team Defense: Averaged 8.07 Goals Against per game (35th in MSHSL)**
Graduated Defensive Personnel: Paul Sargent (LSM)
Offense Returning
Cooper Anderson (49/24)
Drew Stocco (24/22)
Eli Busse (25/13)
Lincoln Gentry (19/11)
Mikey Sieve (15/7)
Lyle Dietrich (19/0)
Charlie Velner (11/6)
**Luke Seaman missed last year due to injury but had 16/18 in 2023 as a freshman.
Defense Returning
Quinn Burnside (Defense)
Beau Simonson (Defense)
Dylan Dubuc (Defense)
Christian Kuehl (LSM)
Wyatt Spindler (Goalie)
2025 Schedule
Lake Conference Schedule will produce some big ranked matchups against Wayzata (#9), Eden Prairie (#8), Minnetonka (#16) and STMA (#19).
OOC is not posted for the lake conference yet, but, they are heading up to Moorhead to play the Spuds. Last year they played Jefferson, Rosemount, Lakeville North, Mahtomedi, Maple Grove, Blaine and Centennial. If they get any combination of these games again this year, their schedule should be strong once again.
Final Thoughts
Edina brings back the whole squad and will add another major offensive piece in Luke Seaman who is a physically gifted midfielder that can win matchups and create offense. This group of guys has played together the whole way up and from a short observation in fall ball, they are dialed in. They had to roll out a young defense last year against the 4th best schedule in the state so I expect their defense numbers to improve now they are upperclassmen
The big question mark for Edina is at Face-Off as they were only 35% at the X last year. I am unaware of any specific FO/S coming up or taking on that role but rumor has it, that part of the squad has been figured out. Their midfield can play two-ways and will get up and down the field on their opponents. I don’t really see a team with a more complete offense returning than Edina’s and they will have to let those guys cook as much as possible.
I think their solid win over Jefferson in the section semi’s last year was a statement, but, like last year, they will need to contend with a loaded group of teams in section 6. Like all the teams, if you can get through section 6 and to the state tournament, you are almost certainly a top 1/2 seed in the bracket and a great chance to make a run.