Girls State Preview: Day 1
Twist our arm…since MSHSL finally got their bills paid and their website got turned back on late this morning, we got the bracket, so we might as well review it.
Games are Tuesday, June 11 @ 11:00, 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 @ Chaska HS. Warning - you have to pay in advance for the ticket - please show up and cheer these games on…plus MSHSL needs the cash to keep their website up and running.
Quarterfinal 1: #3 BSM (14-1-1) vs UR Elk River/Zimmerman (13-3)
This is a scary match for the Scarlet Knights.
ERZ has demonstrated the past 2 years at state - they are not here to mess around and are not scared of anyone. Looking back:
2023: 2-1, Consolation Champs…beating Chanhassen and East Ridge
2022: 1-2
1 goal loss to Lakeville South
1 goal win over Andover
1 goal loss to Stillwater
Yeah - sure. Section 8 blah, blah, blah, blah. Whatever, they come to state and they compete.
On top of that, they have (2) 1 goal losses this year, vs state #5 seed Minnetonka and then vs the same Maple Grove team that tied BSM. They bring in 4 players with 40+ points and 2 absolute ball hawks in Lilly Osterman and Katie Wozney (and we aren’t sleeping on Emily Brummer’s 53 points and 52 DCs…and who was called out by one of our North Side Sources in the spring). Plus, they have a chip on their shoulders about getting snubbed by the idiots at DTA with the All DTA Teams, as well as the idiots that made the All State Teams.
What does poor old BSM have? Only last year’s state crown, 2 ball hawks of their own (Julia Evens and Maddie Kaltsas) and 2 mega attackers (Charlize Vang and Maggie Graczyk).
We think this is going to be a battle, but we think BSM is going survive a close one…but we will not be shocked if ERZ pulls off the upset.
Quarterfinal 2: #2 Prior Lake (15-1) vs UR Andover (8-9)
Its going to be tough to sugar coat this one. Here is a telling quick/easy stat:
PL goals scored through 16 games = 257
Andover goals scored through 17 games = 129
Where are the signs of hope for the Huskies?
The greatest MN lax analyst loves them - shout out Teddy the Greek!
They played close games against Rosemount (11-8 loss), EP (11-10 loss)
They are on a 4 game heater
What are the signs of despair for the Huskies?
PL has won 11 straight, the closest being a 4 goal win at EP about a month ago
They just totally thrashed what should have a worthy opponent and rival, 18-1
They have 10 players with 10+ points
We’re picking PL in this one.
Quarterfinal 3: #4 Stillwater (12-3) vs #5 Minnetonka (14-2)
This one is the belle of the ball on day 1. Love this match up.
Both teams have a few clunkers:
Stillwater: 13-11 loss to PL, 8-6 loss to WBL, 16-4 loss to South
Minnetonka: 15-10 loss to EP, 19-9 loss to PL, and 14-13 win over Buffy
Both teams are coming off close and emotional section championships:
Stillwater: 6-5 win over Gentry
Minnetonka: 16-13 win over EP (after a 19-16 win over Orono)
Both teams have:
Several players that can light the lamp and distribute the ball
Strong defenses
Solid goalies
Honestly…this is a toss up. We’re going to pick Tonka only because we have been gushing over them since this thing started and how can we stop now that they’ve made their first state tournament?
Quarterfinal 4: #1 Lakeville South (16-0) vs UR Cretin-Derham Hall (11-5)
A lot of times the #1 seed vs the unranked in the QFs is a blow out…and not just in lax. Add to that the machine that is Lakeville South and their year.
An UR team is happy to have the chip and the chair and what better chip is there than to have (2) 100 point scorers?
Thats going to be the story here: CDH’s middie line of Watts, Rosga and Stangler vs Lakeville South’s middie line of Tschida, O’Brien, and Grubbs.
Honestly - I am going to say that they cancel each other out…and then Lakeville South’s very talented attack squad overwhelms the defense of CDH.
Lakeville South gets the win here.