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North metro soccer squads poised to make noise

By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune, 10/07/14, 5:32PM CDT

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The high school soccer postseason revs up this week, and several north metro boys and girls’ teams rank among the top teams in their respective sections.


At a varsity boys soccer game between Centennial and Coon Rapids in Lino Lakes, Chris Coyne(19) battled for control against Coon Rapids midfielder Alex Figueroa. ] Richard Tsong-Taatarii/rtsong-taatarii@startribune.com

The high school soccer postseason revs up this week, and several north metro boys and girls’ teams rank among the top teams in their respective sections.

On the boys’ side, undefeated and untied Maple Grove (16-0) is the No. 1 seed in Class 2A, Section 5. The Crimson, which allowed just two goals in the past 11 games combined, played No. 8 seed Irondale in Tuesday’s quarterfinal after this edition went to press.

Andover, which ended last season tied for third-place at the state tournament, earned the No. 1 seed in Section 7. The Huskies (10-3-3) play No. 8 seed Coon Rapids in a quarterfinal game on Thursday. No. 2 seed Centennial lost to Andover in overtime of the section championship game last fall. The Huskies got the better of Centennial earlier this season as well, winning 3-2 on Sept. 4.

On the girls’ side, Class 2A, Section 5 features three of the state’s top teams in No. 4 Centennial plus two teams just outside of the top 10 in the coaches poll: Maple Grove and Mounds View.

Centennial (13-1-2) grabbed the No. 1 seed on the strength of a regu lar-season victory against No. 2 seed Maple Grove (13-2-1) and a scoreless draw with No. 3 seed Mounds View (10-3-3). All four Section 5 quarterfinal games were played Tuesday after this edition went to press.

In Section 7, Blaine is the top seed. A year ago the Bengals fell in the first round against St. Francis. The Saints are the No. 2 seed. All four quarterfinal games are played Thursday.

In Class 1A, Park Center earned the No. 1 seed in Section 5 and a first-round bye. It plays either Minneapolis Edison or Fridley at 7 p.m. Thursday at home. The Pirates beat No. 2 seed Totino-Grace 2-0 on Sept. 2.

Crimson stands alone

Just one north metro football team remains unbeaten. Maple Grove (6-0) won its 23rd consecutive regular season game last week with a 50-0 drubbing of Blaine. The Crimson welcome district rival Osseo to town at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Another hall for Kauls

Long-time Mounds View basketball coach Zigurds “Ziggy” Kauls is part of the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association 2014 Hall of Fame class.

Kauls coached Mustangs’ teams for 45 years from 1968-2012. His teams won 11 conference championships and made 12 state tournament appearances. Mounds View tallied a record of 739-357 during Kauls’ tenure.

Kauls already has been enshrined in five hall of fames: Hamline University, Mounds View High School, the Minnesota Basketball Coaches, the Minnesota State High School League and Forest Lake High School.

The awards banquet is Oct. 11 at the Minneapolis Marriott West Hotel, St. Louis Park.

 

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574