The Hastings Sugar and Spice Girls tournament is historically a great early season test for teams from the metro area. This year is no different feature teams from District 2, 6, and 8. It is an eight team bracket play tournament that starts on Friday night.

Congratulations to the Tournament committee for keeping the two best teams on the opposite sides of the bracket: Cottage Grove and Stillwater. This will make for some competitive early round games and possibly a great championship game in the end.

Quarterfinals:

Game 1 – Burnsville v. Bloomington

Burnsville has played in a few tight games so far this year, as have the “Breakers” from Bloomington. Despite one of the best coaching staffs in the state, Bloomington will come up just short  . YHH looks for Burnsville to advance.

Game 2 – Cottage Grove v. Chaska/Chanhassen

Cottage Grove has played some of the state’s best and has a very nice 5-2-2 record. Chaska has fared well so far in their games as well. The Wolfpack will have too much for the StormHawks both offensively and defensively. CG>CC.

Game 3 – Eagan v. Highland/Central

Highland will be playing their tenth game of the young season on Saturday morning, boasting only 1 win and 1 tie so far. Don’t be mislead by their record, their goal differential is negative 1.5. Eagan boasts one of the best players in the state. And if you followed U10A last year, one girl can do a lot of damage (cough, cough Mound Westonka). YHH looks for Eagan to advance in a close one 4-2.

Game 4 – Stillwater v. Apple Valley

YHH has seen both of these teams play already a couple times. Apple Valley has improved a ton over the past 2 years and is competitive in just about every game. However, they are playing arguably the best team in the and arguably the second best coaching staff out there  . The Ponies will prevail.

Semifinal #1 – Cottage Grove v. Burnsville

Cottage Grove will use their team speed and experience to beat Burnsville. Burnsville’s goalie may keep the Blaze in this one for a while, but in the end look for the Wolfpack to advance.

Semifinal #2 – Eagan v. Stillwater

This should be an interesting matchup, we suspect that Stillwater will control the play. However, if they can’t score early and in multiples, Eagan could hang around. If this is a one or two goal game, Eagan could surprise the Ponies. That would be a major surprise to YHH if it happens…Stillwater by a couple.

Final – Cottage Grove v. Stillwater

Stillwater won the Cake Eater Classic two weeks ago against some of the best teams in the state. The only thing that can stop them from winning the Sugar and Spice is themselves. An interesting note. Stillwater plays Forest Lake on Friday night (Number 1 and Number 2 in both the computer and staff rankings in YHH polls)…if for some reason they lose this game Friday, will that have a negative affect on their confidence??? We think that no matter the outcome, Stillwater will be too strong for Cottage Grove and win their second first place trophy in two weeks.

Best of luck to all of the teams this weekend. It should be fun to watch.