Rochester Lourdes vs. Eagan

3:15 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22

One of Class 1A's top competitors visits the south metro on Saturday for a nonconference showdown with one of the hottest teams in Class 2A as Rochester Lourdes meets Eagan in our Top Game of the Week.

A tough early season schedule for the Eagles (5-4-1, 0-0-0) should have them prepared to challenge the Wildcats, who begin the week with one of the longest winning streaks in Class 2A.

Of the four Eagles' losses, two have come against teams ranked in the top 10 of the coaches' poll from Dec. 12 — a 3-1 loss at No. 6-2A Eden Prairie on Nov. 15 and a 4-3 loss five days later against No. 9-1A Mahtomedi.

The No. 7-1A Eagles capped last week with a 7-2 win against No. 8-1A St. Paul United on Saturday behind a balanced offensive attack in which five different Eagles scored.

Rochester Lourdes' potent offense averages 3.5 goals per game this season — and a key piece to the attack has been junior forward Emma Schmitz (12 goals, 9 assists, 21 points), who averages more than a goal per game.

Eagan started the season with a 7-2 loss to Wayzata on Nov. 10 — and hasn't lost since, giving the Wildcats a 10-game winning streak.

The Wildcats (10-1-0, 8-0-0), last year's Class 2A, Section 3 champions, have averaged nearly four goals per game through their winning streak.

Three Eagan scorers have emerged after one month of play. Emily Cronkhite and Julia Barger each have 11 goals while Jenna Ruiz has added 10.