Eagan's head coaching experiment seems to be going well, with coach Bulut Ozturk leading both the boys' team to the precipice of their best regular-season record since 2015 and the girls' to a so-far undefeated season.
The Wildcats (9-4-1, 4-2-1) enter the penultimate game of the regular season with the opportunity to test themselves against a South Suburban Conference and Class 2A, Section 3 foe. Eagan is on the outside looking in on the league title, but if the Wildcats can gain momentum in both this match and their final game on Thursday, they might have enough to push through a tough section and make it back to the state tournament.
Ryan Erickson (5 goals) will likely be the focal point of Eagan's attack. The offense has not produced in large numbers, but the Wildcats have scored in every game but one this season. If the defense can hold up and the offense can find points, Eagan could very well pull off an upset in this game.
Eastview, ranked No. 10 in the Class 2A coaches' poll from Sept. 23, will end its regular season against Eagan. The game gives the Lightning (11-4, 6-2) a final chance to secure at least a portion of the South Suburban Conference title.
Junior Jacob Salmon (20 goals, 5 assists) is tied for fifth in the state for goals and has been Eastview's main offensive weapon. He might be the player tasked with unlocking an Eagan defense that has given up multiple goals in only four games this season.