Cloquet-Esko-Carlton at Mounds View
1 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2

Midfielder Robert Sobczak, a Class 1A all-state second team selection last year, is expected to return and help lead a Cloquet-Esko-Carlton (CEC) team looking to improve. The Lumberjacks finished 12-6-1 and reached the Class 1A, Section 7 championship game a year ago.

Sobczak's presence bolsters the roster of a CEC team that fell to Monticello 2-0 in the section title game.

Dylan Johnson scored in the first minute of overtime and Ryan Willgohs added a goal three minutes later as the Lumberjacks opened the season with a 2-0 victory over Columbia Heights.

Mounds View, which ranked seventh in last year’s final Class 2A poll, scored a 2-0 victory over Duluth East last year, helping the Mustangs finish 13-5-1 overall after making a trip to the Class 2A, Section 5 championship.

Mounds View recorded a 1-1 tie at No. 3-2A Wayzata to a 1-1 on Aug. 27 and earned a 4-1 home victory over Irondale on Aug. 29.