Sports
Oakdale Patch Game of The Week: North St. Paul Advances To State Soccer Tournament
North St. Paul, which is the No. 2 seed faces Maple Grove in the first round of the Class AA boys soccer tournament.
Boys’ Soccer
North St. Paul (18-0-1, 9-0-1 Classic Suburban Conference) vs. Maple Grove (13-4-2, 5-3-2 Northwest Suburban Conference)
CHEAT SHEET
SITE: Roseville High School—Class AA quarterfinals
TIME: 5:30 p.m. Thursday
LAST MEETING: This is the first meeting between the two schools.
ON THE LINE
The Polars, ranked No. 2 in Class AA, have won 12 straight games after a 1-1 tie at Hill-Murray. North St. Paul has won consecutive Classic Suburban Conference titles after finishing last in the league in 2009. They are making their fifth tournament appearance. The Polars set numerous team and individual records this year, including their 72 goals and only 12 goals-against. The unranked Crimson are making their fourth tournament appearance and finished second in 1998. Maple Grove finished second in the competitive Northwest Suburban Conference. The conference has three teams in the state tournament with Blaine and Anoka joining the Crimson. Maple Grove defeated state tournament team Blaine 3-2 and tied Anoka 2-2 during the regular season. The winner of this match will face the victor of Eden Prairie and Blaine next week at the Metrodome.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tyler Oliver, (North St. Paul forward) a sophomore, set a new school single-season record with 19 goals. His twin brother Justin had 17 goals.
Andrew Buness, (Maple Grove midfielder) a senior, leads the Crimson with 11 goals and 11 assists.
POLARS WIN IF...
The Oliver twins can continue their strong play. They have combined for 36 goals and 63 points this season and have great chemistry.
CRIMSON WIN IF...
They can put pressure of the Polars’ defense. North St. Paul senior goalkeeper Eric Mantueffel has given up only 10 goals this season.