White Bear Lake at Orono
Noon, Saturday, May 9
White Bear Lake has won six straight games since losing its season opener 11-10 to No. 4 Wayzata on April 15.
The Bears (6-1) are first in the Suburban East Conference standings, powered by a high-scoring offense that has 68 goals -- 23 more than the league's second-highest scoring team Cretin-Derham Hall (45).
Senior midfielder Connar Dehnert leads the conference with 25 goals, and junior midfielder Ethan Peterson (12-20-32, a team-leading 51 ground balls) can be dynamic on offense and defense.
Senior attackmen Charles Bill (16-10-26) and Matt Swanson (16-8-24) complement Dehnert nicely, and junior midfielder Shane Olsen (12-13-25) rounds out a balanced and dangerous scoring group.
Tasked with the challenge of slowing down this attack is Spartans sophomore goaltender Corbin Sampson (4-1, 5.68 goals-against average). Sampson made 10 saves in a 13-1 victory over Buffalo on April 18, helping Orono to a 4-2 record.
This game is the first meeting between the teams in Minnesota State High School League action.