Centennial at Hill-Murray
7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18

Hill-Murray’s veteran wherewithal and defensive discipline has guided it to an undefeated record through eight games.

The No. 1-2A Pioneers (8-0, 3-0) have allowed just five goals this season and showed why they remain atop the polls with a 2-0 victory Dec. 9 over No. 3-2A Edina.

Laura Anderson’s 12 goals and three assists lead Hill-Murray, but the team has shown its depth as well. Forwards Jac Kaasa (7-5-12), Lindsey Featherstone (4-11-15), Abigail Boreen (5-8-13) and Taylor Henthorne (4-2-6) have given the Pioneers big goals, while defenders Mekenzie Steffen and Kenzie Prater continue to prove why they're considered among the state's best blueliners.

Mari Johnson and Ava Bailey have put up similar numbers splitting time in goal. Johnson boasts a 4-0 record with a 0.50 goals-against average and a .962 save percentage. Bailey, who is 4-0 with a 0.75 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage, made 20 saves against the Hornets.

Hill-Murray’s defense will get tested by one of the state’s best finishers in Centennial’s Gabbie Hughes.

Hughes and Anneke Linser helped engineer a 4-2 upset win over No. 10-2A Blaine in which they accounted for all four goals. Hughes pumped in the first two to put the No. 16-2A Cougars (8-4, 6-3) ahead 2-0. Linser scored two in the third period, including an empty-net goal.

Centennial followed the win with a 2-1 victory over Andover to extend its winning streak to six games.