dlavaque@startribune.com

Hill-Murray coach Bill Schafhauser holds west metro girls' hockey teams such as Eden Prairie in high regard.

That made beating the Eagles 1-0 in Friday's Class 2A state tournament semifinal even sweeter.

A second-period goal from Kenzie Prater and a smothering defense earned the Pioneers a second consecutive trip to the championship game. They were runners-up last season.

"I have a great appreciation for great girls' hockey, and the western suburbs have some awesome teams," Schafhauser said.

"I don't think we're underappreciated. These girls are OK with it; they just keep plugging."

No. 2 seed Hill-Murray (25-3-1) plugged up Eden Prairie's offense at every turn. Working defensively as a sound unit, the Pioneers allowed just eight shots on goal.

"The first and second periods the refs let a lot of physical contact go, and [the Pioneers] took advantage and slowed us down," said Jaime Grossman, coach of No. 3 seed Eden Prairie (21-8). "And we made it harder on ourselves trying to be too perfect at times."

The only one of Hill-Murray's 29 shots to go in came from Prater. Jess Bonfe gathered the puck and left it behind the net for Rebecca Zarembinski, who passed to Prater in the slot.

Prater said the Pioneers hoped to grow their lead, but Eden Prairie goaltender Alexa Dobchuk turned away several scoring chances.

"We definitely play to keep going," Prater said. "I was surprised we didn't score on a couple."