DULUTH MARSHALL (14-5-1) VS. ORONO (16-2-1)
What: Class A girls state tournament quarterfinal
When: 5:30 p.m., Wednesday
Where: Chisago Lakes Area H.S., Lindstrom, Minn.
Outlook: The unseeded Hilltoppers are making their debut on the state tournament stage, having defeated Chisago Lakes 4-0 in the Section 7A final. That marked the seventh straight win, five by shutout, for a team that was seeded fourth in its section. Included in that run was a shocking 2-0 win over top-seeded Cloquet-Carlton. Forward Gianna Kneepkens (team-high 15 goals, 11 assists, 26 points) leads the team in scoring, followed by fellow sophomore Maren Friday (14-7-21) and junior forward Victoria Thorson (12-6-18). Sophomore forward Baamlak Haugen (7-7-14) scored two goals in the section final. Sophomore Natalie Welinski (5-1-1, 0.52 goals-against average) took over as goalkeeper late in the season from senior Katherine Thickens (9-4, 1.22). ... The second-seeded Spartans lost to Mahtomedi in the 2017 title game, one of three times in the last four years they finished as runners-up. Orono enters on a 12-game winning streak, though it needed overtime to edge Monticello 2-1 in the Section 6A final in a matchup of Class A's top-ranked teams, according to Minnesota-scores.net. Ms. Soccer finalist Sarah Johnston, a senior forward, scored 17 goals and added 10 assists in Orono's first 14 games. Junior forward Anna Tesar had 12 goals in that same timespan for a team that averages 3.4 goals per game, while junior Clare Gagne (0.63) handled the goalkeeping duties. The winner advances to the semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium next Tuesday against either Benilde-St. Margaret's or Rochester Lourdes.
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DULUTH DENFELD (15-3-1) VS. BLAKE (16-1-2)
What: Class A boys state tournament quarterfinal
When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday
Where: Chisago Lakes Area H.S.
Outlook: The unseeded Hunters are back in the quarterfinals for the second time in three years and the third time overall after winning Section 7A by knocking off Grand Rapids 3-0, one of four straight playoff shutouts. The secret to Denfeld's success is no longer a secret. All-State first-team selection Jon Faynik, a senior striker, has 27 goals and 10 assists this season to break his own single-season record. His 65 career goals have more than doubled the previous mark. Faynik scored on 60 percent of his shots on goal. Sophomore midfielder Keegan Chastey (10-20-30), a second-team All-State selection, is a deft playmaker with three years' varsity experience, while senior forward Maison Oliver (9-4-13) is another scoring option. Senior goalkeeper Eric Gibson (0.9, nine shutouts) has started every game this season and didn't allow a goal in the playoffs. ... The top-seeded Bears are making their fifth state appearance, thanks to surviving rugged Section 5A. Blake downed defending state champion Totino-Grace 2-1 in the section final after winning a semifinal shootout against a Breck team that handed Blake its lone loss and one of its two draws during the regular season. Senior forward Haluk Ercan-Fang (15-8-23), senior midfielder Jake Lundberg (10-11-21) and freshman forward Jackson Lagos (8-9-17) are three high-scoring members of a talented lineup. Senior Will Taylor (11-1-2, 0.54) has allowed just seven goals this season. The winner advances to a semifinal meeting against either Austin or Holy Family Catholic at U.S. Bank Stadium next Tuesday.
