Page 4 Edina Falls Sports Preview • Thursday, September 3, 2026 current. mnsun. com
Age of parity in soccer makes repeats harder
JOHN SHERMAN john. sherman @ apgecm. com
Minnesota high school boys soccer has definitely entered an age of parity, and it has become increasingly harder for any school to repeat as the state champion.
In the Class AAA ranks this season, Edina returns as the champion following an 18-2-1 season in 2025. The Hornets are gunning for a repeat, no doubt about that, but they will have to achieve it without five players who earned postseason honors as seniors last fall – Goalkeeper Griffin Zosel, defender Malachi Sweeney, midfielder Haden Smith and forwards Andreas Engle and Carsten Koehler.
“ We have talented players,” Edina head coach Dave Jenson said.“ For seven months out of the year, they play for five different clubs. Then we have to bring them together as a team and find a rhythm. There are key players we have to replace. Carsten Koehler was on another level, Andreas Engle was an Academic All-American, Malachi Sweeney was a great defender. Griffin Zosel gave us a hug advantage with his voice and his leadership. Haden Smith score the only goal of the state championship match against Maple Grove.”
Leading Edina’ s returnees are four senior captains forward Henry Banks, midfielders Ronan McArdle and Nic McCormick and defender Sam Rudolph.
“ Our coaches are
straight forward,” captain McCormick said.“ Do what they tell you and you’ ll be successful.”
“ We are going to be good again because of our chemistry and how well we play together,” captain McArdle said.
“ I love this group of guys and can’ t wait to play with them,” captain Rudolph said.“ Our coaches always say, trust yourself.”
McArdle has noticed how the Hornet coaches don’ t dwell on mistakes:“ Forget about them and move forward.”
Rivalries make the Lake Conference one of the most competitive soccer leagues in Minnesota. The schedule is a single roundrobin with each Lake team playing the other seven teams once. With a relatively light Lake schedule, teams have opportunities to play a wider variety of nonconference opponents, including some teams they might play at section tournament time.
Who are Edina’ s favorite rivals?
“ Minnetonka, because of the history we have with them,” Rudolph said.
“ We usually play Minnetonka for the section championship,” McArdle added.
Captain McCormick said,“ Our competitive edge really comes out when we play Lake Conference teams.
Captain Banks recalled that he scored his first varsity goal in a match against Minnetonka two years ago.
McCormick said the Lake’ s reputation is on the line when Edina plays nonconference matches.
( SUN PHOTO BY JOHN SHERMAN)
Edina’ s boys soccer captains for the 2026 season are, from left to right: Nic McCormick, Ronan McArdle, Sam Rudolph and Henry Banks.
The Hornets will step outside the conference to play strong opponents. Shakopee and Prior Lake were on the schedule for the first week. Other nonconference foes include Lakeville North, Minneapolis Washburn, Mounds View, Chanhassen, The Blake School and Hill-Murray.“ We have 10 home games this season,” coach Jenson commented.
Talking about Edina’ s fan base, Banks said,“ Game nights at Kuhlman under the lights are crazy. We want to live up to the expectations our fans have.”
Andrew Hahn got to experience game nights as a freshman last fall and is anxious to have more opportunities this season.
“ I had played up on different teams for a long time,” he said.“ I wasn’ t expecting a huge role last year, but I was happy with the playing time I got.”
Mac Anderson earned the coaches’ trust as a firstyear varsity player last season.“ I grew into my role as a starter on the edge,” he said.“ The coaches gave me a chance and my first start became the second and the second became the third, and I cemented by spot.”
Anderson is pleased with the new edition of Hornet soccer.
“ Last year I felt all 22 players on varsity were capable of being starters,” he said.“ When you have that kind of depth, it makes you a successful program.”
( SUN PHOTO BY JOHN SHERMAN)
Mac Anderson started for Edina’ s boys soccer team as a sophomore last year and helped the Hornets win the state Class AAA title.