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Top boys' games: Rochester Lourdes, Byron set for southeast MN skirmish

By Trevor Squire, SportsEngine, 09/26/16, 4:00PM CDT

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Sept. 27: The Eagles and Bears battle for an edge in the Hiawatha Valley League title chase.


Rochester Lourdes can maintain its unprecedented dominance in the Hiawatha Valley League with a win over Byron on Tuesday. Photo by Carlos Gonzalez, Star Tribune

Rochester Lourdes hasn’t lost a Hiawatha Valley League contest in nearly a decade, but that streak could be in jeopardy this week as they have to oust their conference and Class 1A, Section 1 rival Byron -- a team that has continually played the Eagles close.

Last year's meeting, a 3-3 overtime tie, was the only blemish on Rochester Lourdes' league record.

Ranked ninth in the Class 1A coaches’ poll, the Eagles (8-2, 3-0) have allowed just four goals this season (none in league play). However, three have come in their past four games, including two in single-goal shutout losses to No. 5-1A Breck and No. 6-1A Austin.

The Bears were riding a five-game winning streak before falling to Hastings 1-0 last Saturday. 

Byron (7-4, 4-0) has a roster that includes 18 seniors who have never experienced a victory over Rochester Lourdes, which only intensifies this matchup. With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the winner will hold a significant advantage in the Hiawatha Valley title race.

With so much on the line Tuesday, neither team can afford to lose, making this matchup our Top Game of the Week.

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