Blake vs. Visitation

4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 20

After playing a pair of dramatic games against each other last year, Blake and Visitation know each other well. Both matches were pushed to the brink: Blake topped Visitation in an overtime regular-season finale, but the Blazers won their Class 1A state quarterfinal match 1-0 against the Bears on penalty kicks.

With a defense that has blanked its opponents five times and an offense boasting a plus-29 goal differential, Blake (6-1, 3-0) seems to have the personnel to avenge that state tourney loss.

The No. 3-1A Bears are led by junior Ali Fine, whose team-leading 12 goals include a Sept. 6 hat trick against Minnehaha Academy and a four-goal outburst against St. Cloud Apollo on Aug. 24. Morgan Phillips, a senior, has five goals this season, including three in that 9-0 win over Minnehaha Academy.

The Bears’ offense is poised to meet a new test against Visitation. Anchored by goalkeeper Sarah Strub and her 57 saves, the No. 2-1A Blazers started this season on fire, winning their first eight games by a combined score of 30-4. But Visitation (9-1, 2-1) was handed its first loss on Sept. 10 in a 2-1 shootout against No. 7-1A Holy Angels.

Katherine Jones leads the Blazers offensively with 11 goals.