Minnetonka at Hopkins
7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24

These Lake Conference rivals tied twice last season, but it was Hopkins that emerged from the Class 2A, Section 6 playoffs to reach the state tournament.

Minnetonka defeated Hopkins 3-2 in the first meeting this season.

The Skippers beat the Royals 1-0 in the section championship two years ago after falling to Hopkins 2-1 in a shootout in the section semifinals the year before. The Royals also topped Minnetonka 2-1 in the 2011 section semifinals.

The Royals lost three straight after opening the season 3-0-1, but those losses came against the No. 7-2A Skippers, No. 5-2A Wayzata and previously ranked Edina.

Minnetonka (6-2-1, 2-2) keeps winning close games. All six of its wins have been by one goal, including five 1-0 victories. The Skippers' first loss of the season came against Eden Prairie in a 1-0 game on Sept. 10. Minnetonka rattled off three consecutive 1-0 wins after that loss but couldn't make it four in a row, losing to Wayzata 1-0 on Sept. 19.