Rochester Lourdes beat out Stewartville by one point for the 2017 Hiawatha Valley League title, but if the Eagles hope to repeat they’ll likely need at least one point in this matchup against the Tigers.
After dropping three of its first four games, including two shutout losses, Lourdes (4-3, 2-0) has won three straight and seems to be clicking offensively. A tight Stewartville defense will test that streak, and Lourdes will need its best from its offensive options. Donovan Buss leads the Eagles with seven goals, five of them coming in the recent win streak, and Colton Praska has added offense with two assists and three goals.
The surging Eagles will run into the Tigers (3-1-1, 1-0-1), whose defensive unit, anchored by senior goalkeeper Drew Simmons, has not allowed more than one goal in any game this season. Simmons, who helped shut out Lourdes in a 6-0 win last season, also helped the Tigers draw Sept. 11 with current league leader Cannon Falls.
A win Tuesday for Stewartville would give it a commanding position to make a push for at least a piece of the regular-season league title.