Last year's two top teams in the St. Paul City Conference square off Saturday for what could be a decisive game in this year’s standings, something that hasn’t been unfamiliar, as St. Paul Central and St. Paul Highland Park have combined to win the conference every season since 2011.
Beginning Monday with St. Paul Como Park, St. Paul Central (5-2) will play six-straight league games. If the Minutemen are going to lock in another conference title, they’ll need consistent production from Katharine Ashely and Sophie Flamino, who have combined for eight of the team's 16 goals.
The Minutemen went undefeated in conference play last year, and the Scots achieved the same feat in 2016.
St. Paul Highland Park finished last season three points behind the Minutemen, with their only loss coming in a 1-0 decision to Central. If the trend remains the same, this game could mean intra-city bragging rights.
The Scots (5-2, 1-0) could use a big game from Seylon Versalles-Shiggs, who leads the team with five goals and is tied for the lead with two assists. Sophomore midfielder Emmy Tawah is on a recent tear, netting two goals in a 5-0 Sept. 13 win at Nova Classical and one in a 6-0 victory Sept. 15 against St. Paul Humboldt.