Whether firing a shot from outside the circle or stealing the puck and finishing on a breakaway in front of the net, Natalie Snodgrass has the potential to score however and wherever she wants on the ice. 

Snodgrass turned that potential into production on Tuesday, tallying three goals to lift Eastview over Eagan 4-3 at the Eagan Civic Arena in a South Suburban Conference battle. The loss was the first of the season for the Wildcats (7-1-1, 5-1-0), ranked No. 15 in the Class 2A coaches' poll. 

Snodgrass, a Connecticut commit and U.S. Women’s Under-18 National Team member, is no secret to teams that face the No. 19-2A Lightning (8-1-2, 6-0-2). However, knowing about the junior forward's talent and stopping her are two different things. 

“She is an excellent player,” Eagan coach Kallie Flor said. “She is one of those players (who forces you) to be on your 'A' game.”

Eastview coach Herb Harvey said opponents send two or three players to defend Snodgrass because of her reputation. Yet, she continues to score. 

Her three-goal performance Tuesday was the sixth multi-goal game of the season and gives her a team-high 20 goals, the sixth-most among any player in the state. 

What is it that makes Snodgrass so dominant? 

Her strength.

“There aren’t many girls who can fire the puck as hard as her,” Harvey said. “She isn’t even taking a slap shot. Her wrist shot and snap shot are tremendous.”

Snodgrass showcased her shot not long into the game when she fired what looked like a slap shot, but was really a wrist shot, giving the Lightning a 1-0 lead. 

“The goalie probably didn’t even see it,” Harvey said.

Once Snodgrass scored, others joined in. Eastview’s 1-0 lead lasted for only 10 seconds, as Eagan defenseman Joleen Werden scored to even the game. Less than two minutes later, Wildcats forward Sophia Bergman found the net from the slot to extend the lead to 2-1. 

Snodgrass wasn’t about to let the game get away from the Lightning, though. After Eagan was called for cross-checking, Snodgrass scored on a power play with less than three minutes remaining in the first.

Although Snodgrass’ power-play goal was impressive, it was her game-winner that showed her versatility. 

After stealing the puck, Snodgrass showed off her speed to shoot down the ice and convert on a breakaway for what she called a “grinder goal.” 

In the process, she displayed another element of her game: endurance. 

“I was pretty out of breath,” Snodgrass said about outracing the Wildcats player from whom she stole the puck. “Outworking her was definitely a statement I wanted to make.” 

The goal and the victory also made a statement, as the Lightning defeated their a South Suburban and Section 3 rival. Eastview has one regular season game with Eagan remaining, and a playoff matchup could be down the line.

“It was a really great feeling,” Snodgrass said. “We wanted to be their first loss. Getting the hat trick was just icing on the cake.”

Forward Natalie Snodgrass scored three goals to lift Eastview over Eagan 4-3 at the Eagan Civic Arena on Tuesday.

The loss was the first of the season for the Wildcats (7-1-1, 5-1-0), ranked No. 15 in the Class 2A coaches' poll.  

The hat trick marked Snodgrass' sixth multi-goal game of the year and kept the No. 19-2A Lightning (8-1-2, 6-0-2) atop the South Suburban Conference standings.

The teams combined for 10 goals in last season's Class 2A, Section 3 championship game, and Tuesday's matchup was also a scoring showcase.

Once Snodgrass tallied her first goal 6:05 into the game, others joined in. 

Eastview’s 1-0 lead lasted for only 10 seconds, as Eagan defenseman Joleen Werden scored to even the game.

Less than two minutes later, Wildcats forward Sophia Bergman found the net from the slot to extend the lead to 2-1. 

The back-and-forth game continued as Snodgrass showed off her powerful shot once again. After Eagan was called for cross-checking, Snodgrass scored on a power play with less than three minutes to play in the first.

The Wildcats regained the lead early in the second period when Brooke Madsen converted on a breakaway.

In similar fashion to the first period, Eastview responded not long after falling behind as Holly McPhee netted the equalizer on an assist from Holly Sodomka. 

Although the second-period goals were scored at even strength, both teams failed to take advantage of multiple power-play opportunities. Eastview and Eagan combined for five penalties in the second period alone, and at one point, each had a two-man advantage.

Snodgrass notched the game-winner when she stole the puck and scored on a breakaway with 6:23 left in the game.

Wildcats goalie Ashley Larson finished with 18 saves while Emma Tschida had 18 saves for the Lightning. 

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