Prior Lake begins the season as the frontrunner in the competitive South Suburban Conference, a well-earned position for the Lakers, who won the past three league titles without dropping a conference game (27-0 record).
Prior Lake hasn't shied away from playing a competitive schedule this season, and the Lakers will put their streak at risk before the end of April with two games against league foes, including a visit to Lakeville North on April 25 in an early showdown between ranked teams.
Prior Lake secured the No. 2 spot in the coaches' poll and is coming off a season in which it averaged 15 goals per game and went undefeated until meeting Apple Valley in the Section 6 championship. The Lakers' second-leading goal scorer, Jordan Anderson, returns for her senior campaign. She posted 29 goals last year.
Lakeville North held its own in conference play last year, finishing third behind Apple Valley and Prior Lake in the standings thanks to the play of points-leader Chole Fisher (19 in regular season) and goals-co-leader Olivia Mattis (11 in regular season).
Lakeville North may not have won a league title, but the Panthers clawed their way into the state tournament out of Section 1 with a 13-1 victory over crosstown rival Lakeville South. Could third-ranked Lakeville North take the South Suburban title and return to state this year? A victory over the Lakers would bode well.