Centennial plays out of the overstuffed 12-team Northwest Suburban Conference, so the Cougars’ schedule doesn’t allow for many nonconference forays. Respect for Centennial’s program is such, however, that it can fill those precious few out-of-conference openings with longtime heavy hitters such as Benidle-St. Margaret’s and Eden Prairie.
Thursday’s matchup with Benilde-St. Margaret’s is especially intriguing, given that Centennial (7-0, 7-0) is the last of the state’s unbeaten teams while the Red Knights (7-1, 3-1) are coming off Friday’s 14-6 victory over No. 1 Edina.
Senior Matt Clough (12 goals, 4 assists) and junior Isaiah Ward (15 goals) are among the scoring leaders for No. 9 Centennial. Benilde-St. Margaret’s senior Matthew Dowden scored three of his team-best 21 goals in the No. 2 Red Knights' victory over Edina.