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."
