It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Prior Lake Mural gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Prior Lake, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lakefront Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Perron's Sul Lago or visit Lakefront Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Prior Lake, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Prior Lake, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Prior Lake, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
I played some slot machines over the weekend and ended up losing just a quarter. I felt pretty good about that because I had fun for about an hour and walked away with nearly everything I came in with.One couple at Mystic Lake in Prior Lake, Minnesota, had a much better time at the casino. They ...
I played some slot machines over the weekend and ended up losing just a quarter. I felt pretty good about that because I had fun for about an hour and walked away with nearly everything I came in with.
One couple at Mystic Lake in Prior Lake, Minnesota, had a much better time at the casino. They hit a jaw-dropping jackpot that could seriously change the course of their lives. Check out a photo of the lucky couple below.
Mystic Lake Resort and Casino is Minnesota's largest casino with 4,000 slot machines, and Prior Lake ranks as one of the top gambling destinations in the country.
The casino is open 24/7, and its slot machine floor is always the busiest area because slots are America's favorite form of gambling.
They're bright, shiny, and easy to play - with the opportunity to win big. We've reported on several big winners at Mystic Lake, and below you see the latest couple to strike it rich.
Mystic Lake Casino, located at 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW in Prior Lake (just outside of the Twin Cities), is open all day, every day. Visitors can play on thousands of slot machines, at 100 blackjack tables, and enjoy a bunch of great bars and restaurants.
The Casino just posted an image of the latest big winners who were playing the Huff and Puff More Slot Machine.
Fan Duel says this game is very popular across the country and is "inspired by the children's tale of the Three Little Pigs." Players join the big bad wolf and try to blow houses over - the bigger the house, the bigger the jackpot.
This couple must have destroyed a really big house because they scored a life-changing jackpot. Their names weren't released, but the photo above shows the lucky couple that won nearly $174,000! You can still see the shock in his face.
Prior Lake, Minnesota, was recently recognized as a premier gambling destination in the United States because of the high number of slot machines in the area. Slots are the most popular form of in-person gambling in Minnesota and across the United States.The number of machines availab...
Prior Lake, Minnesota, was recently recognized as a premier gambling destination in the United States because of the high number of slot machines in the area. Slots are the most popular form of in-person gambling in Minnesota and across the United States.
The number of machines available in Prior Lake allows more people to play and enjoy the excitement, and most of them are located at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, which recently congratulated several big winners.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, help is available and effective. Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-848-1880 for support.
Nearly two-thirds of Minnesotans gamble. Buying lottery tickets is the most popular way, but slot machines are the top choice for in-person gambling.
Mystic Lake Casino, located at 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW in Prior Lake, has 4,000 slot machines, and no matter when you visit, the slot floor at the casino is always packed with people hoping to strike it rich.
Mystic Lake just congratulated several new jackpot winners and said, "It’s a jackpot summer!"
The first winner was playing a penny slot game called China Shores and won more than 8 grand!
Lucky winner #2 scored more than $12,000 on the machine pictured below.
The third winner wasn't playing on a slot machine. Instead, this person got dealt a lucky hand on video poker and won more than $12,000.
The fourth winner was congratulated for hitting a $14,000+ jackpot.
Sheila Ann Casey (O'Connell) ObituaryPrior Lake, MN - Sheila Ann (O'Connell) CaseyWe can shed tears because she's gone or be joyful that we knew her. Sheila passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Friday, June 27th at the age of 79. She will be desperately missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and a wonderful wife to her husband, Dennis. He often told her that no matter what room they walked into, she was a...
Prior Lake, MN - Sheila Ann (O'Connell) Casey
We can shed tears because she's gone or be joyful that we knew her. Sheila passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Friday, June 27th at the age of 79. She will be desperately missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and a wonderful wife to her husband, Dennis. He often told her that no matter what room they walked into, she was always the most gracious, beautiful woman there.
Sheila grew up on a lake in Britt, MN and moved to Minneapolis during her high school years, graduating from Southwest HS. She met Dennis in an unexpected twist of fate, while he was on a blind date with her sister. He immediately felt a connection with Sheila and they were married a year later. The marriage resulted in three sons, Dana (Becky), Ryan, and MacLayne (Katy); grandkids, Alyshea, Caleb, Emil, Sam, and Natalie; and a great-granddaughter, Delaney. She poured her heart into her children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter and in return, they filled her life with so much joy!
She embraced and hosted many get-togethers with her extended family and friends, welcoming everyone with love, kindness and her amazing culinary skills! Her beautiful gardens and landscapes were always a topic of conversation. Sheila had an adventurous spirit and tried it all: ziplining in Costa Rica, snorkeling in Maui, whitewater rafting in Colorado, hot air ballooning at Steamboat Springs, backpacking and tent camping across the US (including Alaska) and Canada, and dozens of week-long cross country bike trips, including RAGBRAI 3 times. Eventually Sheila and Dennis expanded their tours to include China, Aruba, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, and several cruises, in addition to their annual vacations in Mexico. Sheila loved traveling and absorbing as much local culture as possible. She found the world to be a wondrous place and it was even better when she was in it. They had oh so many other plans but travel was cut short first by Covid and then by her extended illness. She will be greatly missed for her green Irish eyes, freckles, her beautiful smile, abundantly big heart and beautiful soul. You will remember her when you see beautiful flowers, starry nights, dragonflies and butterflies.
Predeceased by her parents, Jack and Marguerite O'Connell. Survived by her siblings, Tim O'Connell, Mary Pat (Allan) Erickson, Mike O'Connell, Margaret (Bruce) Daubanton, and Danny (Kathy) O'Connell as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. And her Coton de Tulear walking buddy, Brando!
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408. The chapel will be open at 8:00 a.m. with the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. A reception at Lakewood will follow. A private interment will occur at a later date.
There are no events scheduled.
You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or plant a tree in memory of Sheila Ann Casey (O'Connell).
Welcome to Sheila Ann Casey (O'Connell)'s memorial page. Share your heartfelt memories, condolences and stories here.
The 4th of July is almost here. And while I'm still trying to figure out how that came up so fast, the bigger decision is where are you going to go to watch the fireworks that night.While a great answer is to watch them right here in St. Cloud down at Wilson Park - they always put on a great show. You might not be here in the St. Cloud area on the 4th. Lots of people take off and head to a cabin, lake, campground, wherever. So, what lakes in Minnesota have the...
The 4th of July is almost here. And while I'm still trying to figure out how that came up so fast, the bigger decision is where are you going to go to watch the fireworks that night.
While a great answer is to watch them right here in St. Cloud down at Wilson Park - they always put on a great show. You might not be here in the St. Cloud area on the 4th. Lots of people take off and head to a cabin, lake, campground, wherever. So, what lakes in Minnesota have the top fireworks shows?
I have been to this lake and watched the fireworks. Awesome! And, Detroit Lakes is a great place to be for the 4th celebrations in general. Not just for the fireworks.
This is located at the Arrowwood Resort. They host the fireworks every year at 10pm on the 4th.
Hopefully you know someone who lives on or near the lake. Much more convenient, as you will want to be out on the water for this one. Fireworks usually shoot off right around 9:50pm.
Prior Lake has a boat parade and a fireworks show! People get very festive for the 4th here. The fireworks launch from Watzl's Beach
This is a perfect spot located between Northern Minnesota and the Twin Cities. There is a whole day of activities starting with a parade at 10am. The fireworks launch off at dusk from Lakeside Memorial Park.
Head North to the Women Chain of Lakes in Cass County. You can cruise around the lakes throughout the day, then stop at Girl Lake and watch the fireworks that evening.
Madden's on Gull Lake has a fireworks show every year. It's for guests (obviously) and anyone who lives around or is on the lake at dusk on the 4th. Sit back and enjoy.
There is a boat parade early in the day, then just enjoy the lake until the fireworks show that usually begins around 10:30pm
This year marks their 55th year of celebrating the 4th of July in the community of Crosslake. The fireworks show this year will be on the 5th of July, Saturday night at dusk. They encourage people to watch either from their boat on the lake or from shore. Whichever works for each person.
Join the celebration in White Bear Lake, the fireworks will launch at dusk on the 4th over the lake. Bring a boat, or bring a blanket at sit on the shoreline, then ooh and ahhh.
Looking back on trends from 1924 through 2023, Stacker gathered a list of toys that came out each holiday season that captivated the public zeitgeist.
These money-saving tips—from finding discounts to simple changes to your daily habits—can come in handy whether you have a specific savings goal, want to stash away cash for retirement, or just want to pinch pennies. It’s never too late to be more financially savvy. Read on to learn more about how you can start saving now. [From: 25 ways you could be saving money today]
Stillwater had unfinished business. And this time, the Ponies finished the job.After giving up a four-goal lead and watching Park of Cottage Grove erase a deficit late in the second half, Stillwater got a game-winner from senior Rayna Malmberg with 10 seconds left, lifting the No. 3 seed Ponies to an 11-10 victory over No. 2 Park in the girls lacrosse state semifinals Thursday at Eden Prairie High School.The win sends Stillwater (15-2) to the state championship game against undefeated Prior Lake on Saturday. Park (17-1), the Su...
Stillwater had unfinished business. And this time, the Ponies finished the job.
After giving up a four-goal lead and watching Park of Cottage Grove erase a deficit late in the second half, Stillwater got a game-winner from senior Rayna Malmberg with 10 seconds left, lifting the No. 3 seed Ponies to an 11-10 victory over No. 2 Park in the girls lacrosse state semifinals Thursday at Eden Prairie High School.
The win sends Stillwater (15-2) to the state championship game against undefeated Prior Lake on Saturday. Park (17-1), the Suburban East champion, hadn’t lost this season and had beaten the Ponies 7-6.
“I’ve never been in this spot, but these girls earned it,” Stillwater head coach Carly Fedorowski said.
Junior Jillian Maddox scored in the opening minutes, assisted by junior Grace Young, then added another before the nine-minute mark to give the Ponies a 2-0 lead. Malmberg followed with her 46th goal of the season, again with an assist from Young, her 34th, and senior Maddie Richert made it 3-0 shortly after.
Young and Richert added to the lead, making it 6-0 by the time Park called a timeout with 5:20 left in the half. Sophomore goalie Jacky Richert, who entered the tournament with a 61.4 save percentage and a 4.0 goals-against average, made four impressive first-half saves to keep the Wolfpack at bay.
Goals from Madi Brinkman, Josie Leonard and Kyra Stofer cut the lead to one. Then, with 7:08 remaining in the game, Brinkman tied the game 10-10, completing a four-goal Wolfpack run.
After a crucial Richert save inside two minutes, Fedorowski called timeout with 17 seconds left. Seven seconds later, Maddie Richert found Malmberg for the winner.
“We knew they weren’t going to give up,” Fedorowski said. “We started off hot and the clock happened to be in our favor at the end.”
Senior Emerson Mattox scored 40 seconds into the game, and the Lakers scored two more goals in the first two minutes on the way to a 20-11 victory over Lakeville South.
The win pushes the top-seeded, undefeated Lakers (18-0) back to the state championship game, where they’ll look to reclaim the title they last won in 2021. It also avenges a loss in last year’s state final to Lakeville South. The fifth-seeded Cougars (14-4) entered the tournament ranked sixth.
“We came in with a little bit of a chip on our shoulder but also knew Lakeville South wanted it just as much as we did,” Prior Lake head coach Heather Pierson said.
The Lakers, South Suburban Conference champions, scored six goals in the first quarter and held a 10-9 lead at halftime after senior Charlotte Fannin led a comeback by Lakeville South.
Abby Grove, Prior Lake’s junior standout and regular-season team leader in goals, scored five goals and added an assist. Britney Pinkowski, also a junior, added four goals, two coming in the fourth quarter, when the Lakers pulled away.
Pinkowski was handed the team’s “Eat Belt,” a WWE-style trophy awarded to whoever the coaches deem to be the game’s MVP.
“It’s not always going to the highest goal scorer or who had the most draw controls,” Pierson said. “It’s about who worked all over the field, and Britney really stepped up today.”
Mattox finished with three goals and three assists and was a big part of a 10-goal second-half surge when the Lakers outscored the Cougars 10-2. Prior Lake outshot Lakeville South 29-15 and allowed just two shots on goal in the fourth quarter.
Fannin, Minnesota’s scoring leader with 122 points entering the playoffs, was double-teamed for most of the second half while her team’s defense deteriorated as Prior Lake dominated in possession time.
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