BOYS: SECTION 5 PREVIEW
Benilde St. Margaret’s (18-1)
Have won the past 6 section titles and are currently the state’s premier programs. 18-1 last year with their only loss coming to PL in state semis. They had a couple close games: 3 goal win vs STA and MG. All other games were won by 6+
Key Returners
Gus Bell - 71 pts
Dylan Parker - sneaky 56 points
Sky Rold - returning from an ACL. 52 pts in 2022
Popehn (D1 Marquette)
Murphy/Conner/Bourget (all senior returning starting D)
Johnson-Nixon - Starting SSDM
Esco - starting goalie
Young players: Brady Marcus (LSM), Jack Anderson (Middy - beast, depth guy last year)
Really great senior class - have a stronger senior group than most teams across the state. Always have a pipeline of young talent coming in.
Love their early season Matchup, Game #1 against 2023 WI state champs, Hudson
Need to replace some big time guys: Brandt, Stephens, Little, Drews, Hoyt who graduated last spring
Maple Grove (14-2)
Maple Grove is a great athletic school and has been right on the cusp of the section the last few years. Have played BSM tough the last few section finals and continue to produce some top talent.
Key Returners
Ricky Peterson - elite talent. Offense runs through him. 78pts last year
Landon Bakke - 42 pts
Poles: Rask/Knutsen - returning starters
Jackson Kuznik, gritty midfielder 63GBs last year
Goalie Farniok graduated - was starter since 2021 but will have a young goalie coming in that is solid according to sources.
Lost #2/#3 scorers Scanlon and Brendon so they will need to add scoring depth around Peterson
Wayzata (10-5)
One of the SNEAKY teams here in 2024 - might be on cinderella story watch. They have had a young core group working together for a few years. They have been trending up and now have an older team to compete athletically.
8-7 in 2022, won 5 of their last 7 games… improved to 10-6 last year
Have rolled with the young guys the past few seasons, now upperclassmen
Stud 2024s on D - Will Schnieder (Close), Alec Score (LSM)
Loaded 2025 class - top 5 scorers
Cullen Britz 45pts,
Bennett Brown 36pts,
Evan Weatherford 29pts,
William Malecha 18pts,
Cam Johnson 17pt
Elite 2025 Goalie - Henry Kirt, 601 Sv%
Most used fogo was is a 2026 who went 50% last year
Armstrong (12-3)
Probably the biggest surprise team in 2023 going 12-3, winning the NWSC. They are always a gritty, tough team that is not easy to play against. I am curious about depth in order to WIN the section, but, they should be a strong team again in 2024
Returning 2024s: Jameson Essen 43pts, Aiden Robb (defense), Burke Wittmers (defense),
One of the best 2026s in MN, Jack Olson 63 pts returns, along with another 2026 Brady Northrup
Lost All-State goalie, Xavier Wells and backup goalie Keagan Bean
New HC in 2024 - Jeff Olson
Rogers (7-7)
A team I have been high on the past few years - growing community and steadily improving within the NWSC.
Started last year 1-4, before rattling off 6 wins in their last nine games
Lost a large group of seniors especially on offense
Return
2024: Brady Menne (25 pts), Blake Evers (goalie)
2025: Adam Leshovsky (60% FO), Bennett Arro (8 pts), Brady Smith (defense), James Fee (defense)
Might not quite have the depth to make a run in section 5 this year, but a team to keep you eye on