Mankato West at St. Peter
7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 1

Mankato West and St. Peter seem to contend for a section title on a yearly basis and seem poised to be in the race again this season.

The two teams have won four of the last five Class 1A, Section 2 titles, with the Saints taking the section championship in 2010, 2011 and 2012. St. Peter secured the last two of those titles by defeating the Scarlets in the finals. 

Mankato West returned the favor in the 2013 section semifinals and went on to beat Albert Lea in the championship game.

The Scarlets also reached section semifinals last season, losing to an Albert Lea team that went on to win the title against sixth-seeded Mankato Loyola, which upset the second-seeded Saints in the semifinals.

Mankato West posted a 10-6-3 record a year ago and returns freshman Ashley Gustavson, who finished the season with nine goals, along with defenders Kristina Johns, Gabby Bowyer and Amber Frederick.

McKenna Buisman scored twice while Katie Roberts and Gustavson each added a goal as the Scarlets defeated Park Center 4-1 on Aug. 27.

Gustavson also had the lone goal in a 1-0 win over New Prague two days later.

St. Peter picked up a 2-1 road victory over Mankato West in last year's regular-season matchup, helping the Saints to a 13-6 record. Ella Wiebusch (15 goals) and Maggie Anderson (four goals, eight assists) are back and lead the offense for St. Peter.

The Saints, however, lost to Chanhassen 2-0 in their season opener.