Cretin-Derham Hall and Park of Cottage Grove enter Tuesday's contest locked atop the Suburban East Conference standings, which will put the winner of our Top Game of the Week in pole position to capture the league title.
The Raiders, ranked No. 5 by the Minnesota Girls Lacrosse Coaches Association, have already defeated defending conference champion Stillwater in a 10-9 decision on April 24 and could be feeling confident coming into this week. Cretin-Derham Hall (4-1, 4-0) has lost only to No. 4 Blake (19-11 on April 30) and boasts a lineup with a swath of top-tier talent back from a season ago.
The offense has been humming for Cretin-Derham Hall, which has scored at least 10 goals in all its contests so far. Junior Anne Marie Rhoda is leading the Raiders in goals scored (13), while senior Elise Hitchcock leads the team in assists and points (6 and 15, respectively). Last season's leading scorer Maya Quigley (9 goals, 5 assists) is also back, giving Cretin-Derham Hall plenty of offensive options to throw at a stout Park defense.
The Wolfpack (7-0, 4-0) have not given up double-digit goals in a game this season, but going up against league and Section 3 rival Cretin-Derham Hall will be their hardest test so far this season.
Goaltender Jailee Hendrickson is tied for fourth in the state with five wins and has posted a .689 save percentage this season. If the Hendrickson-anchored defense can keep the Raiders frustrated, Park has the offensive talent to pull an upset.
Offensively, Cayla Quade returns after posting 45 goals in her sophomore season and is off to another hot start, with 15 goals and three assists in seven games. Mandy Elton and Tina Press have also put in some solid offensive work for Wolfpack with 12 and 10 goals, respectively.