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Top girls' games: Maple Grove tangles with high-powered St. Michael-Albertville

By Nick Gerhardt, SportsEngine, 09/19/16, 4:15PM CDT

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Sept. 24: A defensive-minded Crimson squad meets the Knights looking to build momentum for the postseason.


Coach Ben LeVahn (right) has Maple Grove seeking a Class 2A state bid this season, a year after losing in the Section 5 championship game. The Crimson get a stiff challenge from an explosive St. Michael-Albertville team on Saturday. Photo by Brian Nelson

Maple Grove and St. Michael-Albertville have transformed into statewide powers, but both missed a chance to add new chapters to their histories after ending last season with losses in their respective section championship games.

Maple Grove could use a regular-season victory over St. Michael-Albertville to help propel itself pass a section final. The Crimson, who are No. 11 in the latest Class 2A coaches' poll, have never appeared in the state tournament but played for the Section 5 championship in 2013 and 2015.  

The Knights, who reached the state tournament in 2012 and 2014, lost to Rogers in the Class 2A, Section 8 title match a year ago and could continue building momentum for another run with a victory.

Despite the presence of two scoring threats -- Maple Grove's Meredith Haakenson and St. Michael-Albertville's Makenzie Langdok -- this game will likely be low scoring, with both teams boasting stellar defensive units.

The Crimson have not lost when giving up two or fewer goals, while the Knights have held opponents to four total goals in their five wins and allowed multiple goals only once this season. 

This matchup of two high-level teams striving to take steps deep into the playoffs is our Top Game of the Week.

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