Eastview vs. Prior Lake

5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4

Eastview won the South Suburban Conference with a 7-0-2 league record last season, finishing just above second place Prior Lake at 6-2-1. With both teams opening league play in this matchup, a win for either could be the defining result in the conference title race. 

The Lightning fell 3-0 to No. 2-2A Stillwater -- last season's Class 2A runner-up -- in their season opener on Aug. 23, but bounced back two days later by rolling Spring Lake Park 5-0. If No. 8-2A Eastview and returning attackers Jack Landwer (8 goals last season) and Jesus Vega (7 goals) can keep the offense rolling, the Lightning (1-1) should have an excellent shot at repeating as conference champions. 

Prior Lake (1-0) opened its season with a comfortable 3-0 win over Bloomington Jefferson on Aug. 25, but three of its next four games are against top-10 teams in Class 2A. The gauntlet ends with Eastview, a game that is an opportunity for the No. 10-2A Lakers to take the lessons learned playing other top teams and prove their mettle against their conference rivals. 

The Lakers return only two of their top offensive players in Jake Leonard (4 goals, 8 assists last season) and Owen Antonoplos (3 goals, 6 assists). Prior Lake will need new players to preform well in the difficult opening stretch, culminating in proving they belong on the pitch against a top-ranked conference foe.