Prior Lake junior midfielder Ben Ward is fast.

Fast on the football field and fast on the lacrosse field. He is also speeding toward an opportunity to fly fast planes as an Air Force Academy commit.

So, it was only fitting that a fast start from Ward sparked a strong start to the season for the Lakers. 

Ward scored six goals to lead his team to a 12-6 victory over Blake in the season opener Tuesday night at Prior Lake High School. The victory marks Prior Lake’s third consecutive opening-day victory against the Bears. 

While Ward has a reputation as speedster, his quickness is a trait fans and spectators can’t truly appreciate until they see him in-person.

“You don’t realize how fast he is until you see him out here on the lacrosse field; he just gets by people,” Prior Lake activities director Eric Rodine said after watching the victory. 

That speed was one reason Ward emerged last year as one of the Lakers’ top scoring threats. He finished with 24 goals - the second-most on the team - after tallying just three as a freshman. 

And Ward wasn’t padding his stats against inferior competition. He had three or more goals in victories over Blake, Lakeville North, Rosemount and Eagan - some of the top programs in the state.

His play helped propel Prior Lake to an 11-3 overall record and into the Section 3 championship, where the Lakers just missed earning a state tournament berth after losing to Rosemount 11-10. 

Rodine said Ward also excelled as a wide receiver on the football field.

Used as a deep threat, Ward could take the top off defense’s designed to stop Prior Lake’s run-heavy offense. He finished with four receptions for 50 yards playing in three games.

Whether he’s streaking past defensive backs on Friday nights in fall or zooming through defenses on spring evenings, Ward frustrates opponents with a skill set that is difficult to defend.

“Ben is a guy who can break down a defense,” Lakers coach Chris Fleck said. “He’s really worked on being able to score with his left hand as well. He had a nice left-handed goal on the run (tonight).”

Speed, however, isn’t the characteristic on which Ward prides himself. It is his physicality, something he carries with him from playing football.

“I like to get up and close and physical with other defenders,” Ward said. “The hard, gridiron physicality of football definitely carries over to my playing style (in lacrosse).”

Being fast extends to other areas of Ward’s life.

He made his decision to attend the Air Force Academy, where he plans to play Division I lacrosse after high school, as a sophomore.

The Falcons field a strong lacrosse program, but it’s the academics that drew Ward toward the academy and made committing much easier. 

“Just the opportunity to have a free education that was world class,” he said of why he chose to join the Air Force. “The team had just gotten to the NCAA tournament, so I thought it was a perfect fit.”

Being a multi-sport athlete helped Ward hone the qualities needed to continue his playing career in college, Fleck said, adding that he encourages all his players - especially those wanting to compete beyond the high school level - to participate in more than one activity. 

“I’m a huge believer in playing multiple sports,” Fleck said. “All of our guys who are getting NCAA opportunities are guys who play multiple sports.”

As for Ward, being fast - no matter the sport - is only one reason he’s going places.

“The kid’s full of integrity and that’s why he’s going to the Air Force,” Rodine said. “As an athlete, he’s one of the top athletes at Prior Lake High School, not only on the football field but also on the lacrosse field.”

Prior Lake started off the season strong, and so did Lakers midfielder Ben Ward. 

Ward scored six goals to lead his team to a 12-6 victory over Blake in the season opener Tuesday night at Prior Lake High School.

Attackman Carter Collins and midfielder Cullen Sowder each had two goals for the Lakers, who recorded their third consecutive regular-season victory over the Bears. 

Prior Lake played with more energy than Blake early in the game, especially on offense as the Lakers came out firing and took a 4-0 lead into halftime. 

The Bears attempted a rally in the second half, with attackman Quinn Ellis scoring three goals and midfielder Conor McDonough tallying two.

But the Lakers defense kept Blake at bay, never letting the Bears creep closer than four goals in the final 24 minutes. Prior Lake then sealed the victory late in the fourth quarter on goals from Ward and Collins.

Attackman Taylor Kropp and midfielder Matt Denman each finished with a goal for the Lakers (1-0), while midfielder Austin Charles had a goal for Blake (0-1).