Eden Prairie co-head coach Judy Baxter aims to lead her team to a third consecutive state title and Thursday's meeting with Blake could be an early indicator of how the Eagles will succeed in the postseason. Photo by Chris Juhn, SportsEngine
Since the Minnesota State High School League began sponsoring the girls’ state lacrosse tournament in 2007, every state championship has been won by Eden Prairie or Blake. In fact, all but two title games have been contests between the Eagles and Bears.
But Eden Prairie, ranked No. 1 in the coaches' poll, has won the past two state crowns and is the favorite to three-peat this season. The Eagles (11-1, 8-0) boast six Division I athletes in a lineup that hasn't lost an in-state game since the 2014 state championship to the Blake.
Blake is currently ahead in the pennant count with six state titles, and the No. 2 Bears (9-2, 2-0) would like to increase their lead with another this year.
Both teams are unbeaten against in-state competition this season, but one will suffer its first blemish in Thursday’s regular-season finale that could be a preview of the state championship game, making it our Top Game of the Week.
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