Orono’s 2-0 victory over Mahtomedi in the Class 1A semifinals was significant from a playoff standpoint, sure.

But from the Spartans point of view, the victory sets up perhaps the most anticipated game in team history.

They’ll get to play perhaps their biggest rival, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, which ousted them from the section playoffs in 2013, in the championship game on Thursday. They’ll do it with the “Soccer Girls.” the school-wide nickname for their fabulous senior class, leading the way one last time. And they’ll get to defend their Class 1A championship on the biggest stage of the season.

“There’s definitely a rivalry going on there,” Orono senior forward Lily McKown said. “These are the kinds of games you look forward to, the most intense games. You just want to go out and give it everything you have.”

After a scoreless first half on Wednesday, McKown was the initiator, the name given by Orono coach Erin Murray to the player who provides a game-changing spark. She scored the game’s first goal at 4:45 of the second half, converting a through-ball from Carly Goehring.

“That’s something we talk about in big games like this,” Murray said. “It’s about going out and setting the tone for us, lighting the fire.”

Senior Claire Bash added an insurance goal eight minutes later on an assist from Danielle Jorgenson, setting up the Spartans’ return to the title game.

“It’s going to be so big for us,” said Jorgenson, one of 11 seniors who make up the Soccer Girls.

“We’ve been together since second grade. We bond together over everything. We bond over ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ We feel like it’s our year to leave our mark as one of the strongest classes of girls’ soccer players to ever come through our school.”

Orono scored two goals in the second half to down Mahtomedi 2-0 and advance to Thursday’s Class 1A championship game against Benilde-St. Margaret’s.

Lily McKown and Claire Bash scored for the Spartans, who will get the chance to defend their 2014 Class 1A state title.

Check back later for more on the game.