Maple Grove at Orono
7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27

Maple Grove is ranked No. 5 in the Class 2A preseason poll and returns to the pitch with momentum after going 20-2 and finishing fourth at the Class 2A state tournament last year.

The Crimson, which was ranked second in the final Class 2A poll last year, get back junior Ryan DeBois, who finished the regular season tied for the team lead with 10 goals. 

Senior Garrett Maupin also returns and recorded seven goals and 10 assists last year.

Maple Grove is seeking a sixth trip to the state tournament, but a second consecutive appearance could be more difficult after the graduation of Mr. Soccer finalist Kevin Hoof.

Orono was seventh in the final Class 1A poll last year. The Spartans won the Wright County Conference with an 8-0 record and ended the year with a 14-4 overall record.

Orono reached the Section 6 semifinals where it fell to eventual section champion Chaska 3-2.