Perfection? Lakeville South knows a thing or two about perfection.
The Cougars were undefeated last season when they reached they state Class 2A title game, a 2-1 double-overtime loss to Eden Prairie. Lakeville South finished the season with a 20-1-2 record and whole bunch of what ifs and if onlys.
While much of No. 3-2A Lakeville South’s lineup has changed, the Cougars’ start to this season looks remarkably familiar. They are 7-0-0 and mostly unchallenged (their closest game was a 3-1 season-opening victory over Rogers on Nov. 30).
Lakeville South’s all-junior line of Tanner Ludtke, Ashton Dahms and Aidan Willis has scored 20 of the team’s 39 goals. Ludtke, committed to Nebraska Omaha, is the team leader with 17 points. Dahms is the goal leader with 11.
No. 6-2A Maple Grove, which reached the state tournament semifinals last season, had gone unbeaten in six straight before losing 5-3 to Andover last Thursday. Junior Landen Gunderson leads the Crimson with seven goals. Junior Finn Brink is the points leader with 13.
Maple Grove was 15-0-0 last season and ranked No. 1 in the state when it faced No. 2 Lakeville South in a hastily arranged meeting on March 9 at a packed Maple Grove Community Center. Lakeville South won that game 4-3.