Since the Minnesota State High School League first held the girls' lacrosse state tournament in 2007, no team other than Blake and Eden Prairie has taken home the title. That level of postseason dominance gives the annual regular-season meeting between the Bears and Eagles plenty of weight and a nod for our Top Game of the Week.
Blake, ranked No. 4 in the coaches' poll dated May 17, has faltered only twice this season, losing 12-9 to No. 2 Prior Lake on April 23 and falling 8-7 to No. 5 Minnetonka on May 11. Blake (10-2, 2-0) recovered nicely from both defeats but will be eager to keep the loss total at two on the regular season.
Emma Burke keeps the Bears offense rolling, recording a state-leading 33 assists and adding 23 goals this season. Burke will need to be at her best to break open Eden Prairie's smothering defense and give Blake its first victory against the Eagles since the 2014 state championship.
Eden Prairie has standouts of its own, boasting the state's points leader in Brooke Lewis (62-24-86), and goaltender victories, Emilie Bloyer (tied with three others at 10 wins apiece).
Lewis and Bloyer performed well in the No. 1-ranked Eagles' 6-5 loss to No. 2 Prior Lake on May 19. Lewis scored three times and Bloyer kept the Lakers, who average nearly 13 goals per game, to just six on the day. Eden Prairie will be eager to rebound from what has become, in recent years, a rare loss with a strong showing against an always strong Blake squad.