Bloomington Jefferson, a program three years removed from a state runner-up finish, opened its season with five consecutive losses to Section 6 competition. Before a 14-4 drubbing at the hands of Prior Lake on April 25, the Jaguars had lost four games by a combined eight goals — including single-goal losses to Apple Valley (8-7 in overtime on April 20), Edina (7-6 on April 21) and Burnsville (6-5 in 2OT on April 24).
A 12-11 victory over Eastview on April 28 was a step forward for Bloomington Jefferson, which seeks to improve its section seeding stock with three weeks of regular-season play remaining. A meeting with crosstown rival Bloomington Kennedy in our Top Game of the Week could provide the spark needed for a surge in the second half of the season.
Jefferson fell to Kennedy 9-8 in the regular season last spring, but the Jaguars, seeded sixth in the section bracket, had the last laugh with an 8-6 quarterfinals win.
The Eagles again seem situated to earn a higher seed than Jefferson entering this week, but a Jaguars' win could foil Kennedy’s advantage. Throw in the familiarity between the two schools, separated by just three miles, and Tuesday’s game should provide plenty of energy.
A win on Tuesday would also give Jefferson coach Scott Cater his 200th career victory. In his 20th season at the helm of the Jaguars' program, Cater is also one of the longest serving coaches in the league.
Jefferson is coming off a 14-4 loss to Metro West Conference juggernaut Chanhassen on May 3. The Jaguars (1-6, 0-1) landed 25 shots on net in the game, an encouraging sign after mustering just 12 against the Lakers. Sophomore faceoff specialist Carson Jacobs has provided the Jaguars with plenty of offensive opportunities, as he's won 70 percent of his faceoffs and leads the team in points with 17.
Three of the four Eagles’ losses have come against top-10 programs in the state coaches' poll dated May 1— No. 6 Rosemount (12-10 on April 21), No. 1 Chanhassen (14-3 on April 26) and No. 8 Minnetonka (11-5 on May 3). David Beacom has proven vital for his team, leading the Eagles (3-4, 1-1) in assists (10) and ground balls (32) in five games this season. He had four goals and four assists in Kennedy's 10-9 win over Cretin-Derham Hall on April 28.