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Frenzied pace propels fast start for Maple Grove boys' soccer

By David La Vaque, Star Tribune, 09/16/14, 7:00PM CDT

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Pressed to explain the Maple Grove boys’ soccer team’s 9-0 start this season, coach Greg Leininger struggled to name a key player or a defining game. He kept returning to the Crimson’s unrelenting playing style.

Since “40 Minutes of Hell’’ worked wonders for Arkansas men’s basketball, why not use the same approach for 80 minutes on a soccer field?

Pressed to explain the Maple Grove boys’ soccer team’s 9-0 start this season, coach Greg Leininger struggled to name a key player or a defining game. He kept returning to the Crimson’s unrelenting playing style.

“Each night we’re throwing everything we have at an opponent, and they’ve had trouble dealing with it,” Leininger said. “Going hard and going fast is probably our identity.”

The starting lineup consists of 10 seniors and one junior. Another four players contribute off the bench, allowing Maple Grove to overwhelm teams with depth and determination.

Seven players started this week with three to five goals scored. Brothers Ian and Ryan DuBois were tied for the team lead with five goals apiece. Kevin Hoof and Garrett Maupin were tied for the team lead with seven points apiece.

Maple Grove, which last reached the Class 2A state tournament in 2011, allowed just one opponent, Spring Lake Park, to score more than one goal. Leininger said the Crimson’s 3-2 victory reinforced the need to tighten up defensively.

Maple Grove played a talented Centennial team Tuesday after this edition went to press. Two teams that reached last year’s state tournament are next: Elk River/Zimmerman (Class 2A) on Thursday and Hill-Murray (1A) on Saturday. The Crimson’s frenzied pace will be tested throughout a tough week of games.

“That’s been what we’ve done, because we have to play that style to be successful,” Leininger said.

Good things in threes

Eight north-metro football teams are 3-0 thus far and have a chance to remain undefeated through the first half of the regular season.

In Class 6A, Maple Grove, Mounds View and Totino-Grace maintained perfection in different ways last week. Maple Grove won big at Wayzata, Mounds View held off Cretin-Derham Hall and Totino-Grace battled back to nip Spring Lake Park by one point in overtime.

Class 5A teams Robbinsdale Cooper and Elk River face tough challenges this week. The Hawks play host to Chanhassen; the Elks take on fellow unbeaten Park Center.

St. Anthony Village (Class 4A) and Columbia Heights (3A) round out the north-metro list.

 

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574