Shakopee and Burnsville are looking to improve on subpar seasons, and this South Suburban Conference matchup should be a good benchmark for both.
Shakopee finished 5-8 overall and went 2-7 in the difficult South Suburban a year ago. However, the Sabers seem to have taken a step in a positive direction this season with two sophomores taking the lead on offense.
Holly Eckers leads Shakopee (3-2, 1-2) with 13 goals, while Ali Styba heads up the assists (6) and points (14) categories. With youth leading the way, the Sabers are trending up with an improving overall record and a pool of talent with plenty of years left together.
The Blaze have been experience-reliant this season, with a roster filled with players ready to erase last year's campaign that resulted in a 4-10 overall record and just two conference wins.
Kenzie Schroeder leads Burnsville (3-4, 0-3) in goals, assists and points (12-4-16), while fellow senior Madeline Lee has collected all three wins in goal.
Though the Blaze don't seem to have improved much in the win-loss column from a year ago, it should be noted they have not had an easy schedule and the only expansive loss came at the hands of No. 2 Prior Lake (16-2 on April 26). Outside of that game, Burnsville has played every opponent closely and will view its match against Shakopee as an opportunity to pick up a conference win. It will also be an opportunity for the Blaze to showcase their improvement, something that could be lost in a cursory look at records.