Anoka at Totino-Grace
5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 1

Totino-Grace missed out on a return trip to the Class 1A state tournament last season after a 3-2 loss in the Section 5 championship game to top-seeded DeLaSalle.

But the Eagles seem to be in the mix for a section title this year with nine players expected to return.

Anoka’s enters the year as the defending Class 2A champion after winning its first state title since 2007. The Tornadoes have reached the state tournament 13 times.

Anoka defeated Totino-Grace 2-0 a year ago and finished the season with a 15-6-1 record.

The Tornadoes have a wealth of experience back, including goalkeeper Jake Peterson, who was named to the Class 2A all-tournament team, and defender Blake Neumann, who was named second team all-state by the coaches association last year.

Connor Schaaf is also back after leading Anoka with six goals and 12 assists last year. The return of Donnie Guimont (four goals, three assists) and Lencho Ahmed scored (five goals, three assists) should help power the offense.

Michael Talbot and Guimont finished with a goal apiece as Anoka opened the season Saturday with a 2-0 win over St. Cloud Tech.