The Prior Lake girls lacrosse team was shown the level it needs to be at to challenge for a state title.

Top-ranked Eden Prairie, the defending state champions, handed the No. 2 Lakers their first loss May 19, cruising to an 18-7 road win in non-league play.

Eden Prairie was pretty much in control from start to finish, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and leading 9-3 at the break. The Lakers scored the first two goals of the second half, but a three-goal deficit would be the closet they’d get to the unbeaten Eagles (10-0).

Prior Lake (10-1 overall) is back on the field May 23 against Rosemount in South Suburban Conference play at 6 p.m. A win and the Lakers claim the league crown with a perfect 9-0 mark.

Prior Lake ends the regular season May 26 at No. 9 Chanhassen in non-league action at 7 p.m.

Against Eden Prairie, the Lakers couldn’t slow down the the Eagles’ one-two punch of Brooke Lewis and Sara Woodring, who combined for nine goals and seven assists. Lewis scored six times, while Woodirng had six assists.

Sophomore Lexi Peer, senior Aleah Fjelstad and ninth-grader Jordan Anderson each had a pair of goals for Prior Lake, while senior Ashley Norberg scored once. Junior Claire Hagen was in goal and finished five saves.

Section 6 quarterfinal play starts June 3. The Lakers are a lock for the No. 1 seed, while No. 5 Apple Valley (10-1) and No. 7 Edina (6-4) will be the next two seeds.

Bloomington Kennedy (10-2) is heading for the No. 4 seed, while Bloomington Jefferson (5-6), Eastview (4-8), Burnsville (2-10), Minneapolis (5-5) and Holy Angels (4-6) are also in the field.

The section semifinals are May 7 and the title game is May 9. The Lakers won the Section 3 title last year to qualify for state for the first time in program history, finishing fifth.

To see more photos of the Lakers’ game with Eden Prairie, click here: http://www.swnewsmedia.com/prior_lake_american/girls-lacrosse-prior-lake-vs-eden-prairie/collection_547963b6-54e4-5a4e-b6bd-41bc3e1bbc17.html.