With two games left on its regular-season schedule, No. 8-1A Rochester Lourdes has already locked up the Hiawatha Valley League points race by virtue of its bludgeoning of conference foes. The only goal allowed by the Eagles (9-0-0, 9-0-0) came in their season opener — a 7-1 triumph over Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa on Aug. 28.
Lourdes, an eight-time Class 1A state tournament participant in the 2000s, gets much of its scoring from superb sophomore Amelia Gossman (11 goals, 8 assists).
As seen in the last week, however, late-season rematches can be filled with surprises. And if any Hiawatha Valley team can beat the Eagles, the best bet seems to be Byron.
The Bears (7-1-2, 6-1-2) lost 2-0 to the Eagles on Sept. 4, but feature a dangerous one-two scoring duo in seniors Jordan Oelkers (10 goals) and Danielle Fode (9 goals).