After some woes against top-ranked nonconference competition early in the season, Eagan has settled into its league schedule.
The Wildcats, ranked No. 3 in the coaches' poll released May 14, have won six straight games — all against South Suburban Conference competition — and secured at least a share of the league crown. They will be eager to clinch the title outright with a victory Thursday over league contender Lakeville North —should both teams win their conference games on May 22.
Eagan's offense has recovered from a slow start. The Wildcats (7-2, 7-0) failed to score in double digits in both losses — falling 15-8 to No. 2 Chanhassen on April 19 and being edged out by No. 1 Benilde-St. Margaret’s 8-7 on April 28.
Since the defeat to the Red Knights, Eagan has averaged 18.5 goals per game.
Drew Wilson (28-11-39) has come on strong in conference play for the Wildcats. He is averaging nearly six points per game after tallying a total of five in the Wildcats’ first three games. In last year's matchup against Lakeville North, Eagan won 12-8 behind 22 saves from Jack Courington. He is back for his senior season and brings a 5.92 goals-against average and a .632 save percentage into a week in which the Wildcats host Eastview two days before visiting the Panthers.
Lakeville North begins the week just a game behind Eagan in the conference standings, and if the No. 8-ranked Panthers (7-4, 6-1) can take care of business against Burnsville on Tuesday, they'll have a chance to force a shared conference title with a victory over Eagan.
Sophomore Dante Piscietello has been strong in the faceoff circle this season for the Panthers, winning 128 of his 220 tries (58 percent). Keeping possession away from Eagan may be the key in taming this Wildcats team.