Both meetings between Breck and Orono last season went to overtime, including the Class 1A state title game. And both ended in the Spartans' favor.

Breck was chomping at the bit for another chance at Orono, and after a rematch was scheduled to open this season, the Mustangs knew they couldn't squander a shot to avenge last year's sweep.

“I think we always have it in the back of our head that we need to get revenge on (the Spartans),” Breck sophomore goalkeeper Hudson Haecker said.

Thursday night at Orono, Breck accomplished its goal — sort of. In a game that resembled the past two matchups, the Mustangs and Spartans went to overtime. This time, however, neither team found the net — not in regulation nor in the extra period, eventually settling for a 0-0 tie.

Avoiding another loss can be a counted a win for the Mustangs, ranked second in the Class 1A coaches’ preseason poll, who denied the No. 1-1A Spartans a goal for more than 90 minutes despite being outshot 10-2.

“After a sour taste in their mouth from the state final last year, they were able to get on the field again and show these guys we’re every bit of a team they are,” Breck coach George Stuempfig said.

The Mustangs were without all-state attackman and team captain Avi Eller, their top defender and fellow captain Conrad Smits and forward Reed Goldstein for undisclosed reasons.

Despite the lack of senior leadership on the field, Breck fought off an Orono team that’s arguably better than last year.

The Spartans return two all-tournament selections in Spencer Overturf and Guy Mohs but boast a larger, more physical backfield.

“For their team, it's all different," Haecker said. "I didn’t recognize any of them."

Facing this version of Orono didn’t worry Stuempfig, who said Breck had the size to matchup.

“(We’re) a little bit bigger than last year as well,” he added. “I just knew it would be a physical game and it certainly was.”

Breck returns 17 players from a year ago. And while Haecker tangled with the added pressure of missing three starters, the sophomore goalkeeper stopped every Spartans' shot on goal and gave the Mustangs (0-0-0) a positive sign moving forward.

Orono (0-0-0) was also satisfied with the scoreless tie.

“Breck’s one of the best teams in the state, they graduated one guy from last year’s team,” Spartans coach Derek Engler said. “We played very well, and most importantly, put a shutout on the board.”

After winning the small-school title, Orono spent little time being complacent in the offseason.

“We know we have to work 10 times harder this year because we have a huge target on our backs,” junior captain Spencer Overturf said.

Overturf added that the Spartans are overall more technical, and with the added size of Kyle Sipprell and Chris Nordlie, who both stand taller than 6-foot-2, Orono feels its opening day was a success.

“Once we hit that first goal of the season, I think they’ll start coming,” Overturf said. “First games are always a little shaky. We had our chances, and once we put (a goal) away, they’ll start rolling in and we’ll be great.”

Although the Mustangs produced less scoring chances than in past matchups with Orono, Breck's confidence showed on the field and radiated throughout an experienced and shorthanded group.

“I think it's the second-best ending we could have gotten,” Haecker chuckled. “A tie against the state champions with three of our guys missing is good.”

After neither team pulled out a complete victory, a second matchup may be in order — one that would only happen if both make it back to the state tournament.

“I’m not concerned with the result this early in the season, and getting a clean sheet against that team is pretty good,” Stuempfig said.

“I’d love to play them again. We’ll have to see.”

Orono and Breck met in a rematch of last year’s Class 1A state championship and neither team was able to edge the other, resulting in a 0-0 tie Thursday night at Orono High School.

Ranked the top team in the Class 1A coaches’ preseason poll, defending champion Orono (0-0-0) landed more shots on net in a highly competitive matchup.

Sophomore goalkeeper Hudson Haecker made 10 saves for the second-ranked Mustangs (0-0-0) while Jesse Bissen stopped two shots on the Spartans' net.

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