It's just the regular season, but there's only one team in the state that can wear the badge of honor as being undefeated.

No. 4-ranked Champlin Park capped off an unblemished regular season in a tight, defensive battle, defeating No. 7 Wayzata 5-4.

The Rebels' defense has been rock solid all season, but goalie Bryce Plunkett stole the show with big saves in even bigger moments.

"We've had great defense, which has been the backbone of our team all year," Rebels' coach Eric Borer said. "Bryce (Plunkett) was the one who was huge for us tonight. He has been at his best in our biggest games of the year."

Before the Rebels (12-0) adjourned from their postgame huddle, Borer pulled out a hard hat and tossed it to Plunkett for his performance as the player of the game.

"It means something special, especially with this being my last home regular season game," Plunkett said. "To do it and finish the regular season undefeated, it's pretty cool."

Borer said the ideo of finishing the season undefeated is not something Champlin Park dwelled on before playing Wayzata. He wants them to move on after Friday night.

The first part of the season is done, but there are bigger goals to accomplish.

"There wasn't any pressure or anything coming into tonight," Borer said. "There aren't a lot of teams that have done this, but this is just one step."

"I am proud of them though, because they did this with so many alumni in town. This is the first team in Champlin Park history to do this, the other day we became the first to win a conference title, so this has been a great week."

Borer might have been calm, but Plunkett admitted to having some nerves before the game.

"I think some of us were (nervous)," he said. "Once we got playing, I think we calmed down and got back to our game."

Gage Monson scored twice to lead the Rebels, including the game-winner early in the fourth quarter.

Wayzata's Charlie Chermak scored two as well. With a minute left in the fourth he had a chance to tie the score, but his shot went over the net and that was the Trojans' final scoring chance.

"It was pretty much what we expected from them," Plunkett said. "A lot of talented guys are over there, but I think our defense came up with some huge plays at the end and didn't make any mistakes at the end."

Champlin Park will more than likely get a first-round bye in the section playoffs. Wayzata drops to 9-4 on the season.

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