Mankato at Rochester Mayo
7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 13

In its inaugural MSHSL-sanctioned season last year, Mankato clinched its only regular season win in a 9-8 nailbiter against Rochester Mayo, which avenged a 14-10 loss to the Spartans earlier in the season. 

The win sparked Mankato's confidence and it showed in a 8-7 upset over Rochester Century in the Section 1 play-in game. Mankato eventually fell to Lakeville South in the quarterfinal round to end the season with a 2-11 record.

This season, Mankato will aim to improve on that mark, as the program returns all but one goal from last year, including top scorers Shelby Lund (30 goals), Ireland Olson (26-3-29) and Hannah Helms (11-3-14). Jordan Romnes returns between the pipes for Mankato for her junior season. 

Rochester Mayo is coming off its first .500 record in program history, a stepping stone for the team that will have to replace 11 seniors from the 2016 squad. Seniors Lexi Grethen, Paige Anglin, and sophomore Makayla Pahl are expected to pace the Spartans this spring.